Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Electoral Commission report by the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool, Understanding electoral fraud vulnerability in Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin communities in England, published 2015, whether the Electoral Commission has made an assessment of the potential impact of levels of first cousin marriage on levels of electoral fraud.

The report referenced, “Understanding electoral fraud vulnerability in Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin communities in England”, was an independent academic report prepared for the Electoral Commission. It does not represent the Commission’s views. The Commission has not assessed the impact of first cousin marriage on electoral fraud.

‘Electoral fraud’ is used to refer to cases where someone has committed, or is alleged to have committed, specific electoral law offences. Although the UK has very low levels of proven electoral fraud, the Commission takes this issue seriously and knows from its public opinion research that it concerns some voters. Fraud, and the perception of fraud, undermines democracy and weakens the UK’s strong tradition of free and fair elections.

The Commission does not have a direct role in investigating allegations of electoral fraud; this is carried out by the police.

The Commission does have an important role in tackling electoral fraud and ensuring safeguards are in place across the electoral community. The Commission collects and publishes data from police forces across the UK on allegations of electoral fraud, so that the public has transparency over these figures. The Commission runs a campaign aimed at raising awareness of and helping prevent electoral fraud, in partnership with Crimestoppers.