Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has held discussions with the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland on ensuring that safeguards are in place to tackle electoral fraud throughout the UK.

Electoral policy for all elections in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is an independent appointment made by him.

Northern Ireland Office Ministers and officials meet with the Chief Electoral Officer to discuss a range of electoral issues, including the safeguards that are in place to tackle electoral fraud.