A co-conspirator filmed Peterborough’s Labour council leader Dennis Jones putting a postal vote in its envelopes for an elderly man (also a councillor) in plain sight yesterday. He is seen putting the ballot paper away afterwards…
This is clearly against the rules. Jones confessed when asked by Guido what was going on: “What the video will show is my putting the ballot paper into the envelope. Whilst I did tell Alan that I was reluctant to do it, given his health conditions and the fact that we were in full view of the public, as your video will show, I gave a fellow councillor a helping hand.” The Electoral Commission, however, has recently clarified:
“It is an offence for a political campaigner to handle postal voting documents that have been issued to another person (for elections where polling day is on or after 2nd May 2024) unless the person is a close relative or someone they provide regular care for.”
These rules are clear in order to preserve the integrity and secrecy of voting. Jones says “the ballot paper is in my car“. He might want to get around to returning it…
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