A politics watchdog has been accused of ignoring evidence that family members tried to influence each other’s voting in polling stations during recent elections. The Electoral Commission reported low levels of electoral fraud but did not mention claims from presiding officers that such attempts were witnessed at 50 Birmingham polling stations and elsewhere. Lord Hayward, who sponsored a law against influencing votes inside polling booths, criticized the commission for ignoring the problem. Tory local government spokesman Katie Lam echoed concerns about the enforcement of ballot secrecy laws.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Electoral Commission has faced criticism for allegedly ignoring evidence of illegal family voting during recent elections in England. Despite examining ballots across the country, the commission reported "very low levels of proven electoral fraud" while acknowledging voter concerns about the issue. However, it did not address evidence revealed by the Daily Mail that presiding officers had witnessed attempts to influence voters at 50 polling stations in Birmingham, including one incident where a man allegedly tried to sway votes using Islamic gestures and hand signals. This evidence is now under investigation by the West Midlands Police. Additionally, on election day, there were warnings of voter harassment in Tower Hamlets, east London, raising further doubts about the commission's assessment of electoral integrity.
Written for “Elections Watchdog Controversy” on 2026-09-14,
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 9267 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-14
A politics watchdog has been accused of a whitewash after it 'brushed aside' evidence of illegal family voting at elections this year.
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it → accuse → elections
After examining ballots across England, the Electoral Commission said there were 'very low levels of proven electoral fraud' despite admitting the issue 'concerns some voters'.
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issue → examine → voters
In a report, it insisted that staff at polling stations had intervened 'to protect the secrecy of the ballot' when they needed to.
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they → insist → when
But it made no reference to evidence from presiding officers, which was first revealed by the Daily Mail, that attempts to influence voters had been witnessed at 50 polling stations in Birmingham alone.
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attempts → make → Birmingham
This evidence, including a report that one man tried to 'influence voting' using 'Islamic gestures, blinking eyes, hand signals', is now being examined by West Midlands Police.
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man → include → Police
The commission was warned on election day itself that voters were being harassed as they approached polling stations in Tower Hamlets, east London.
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they → warn → Hamlets
Concerns were also raised that family voting – where family members try to enter a booth together and collude over which candidate to pick – had taken place at the Gorton and Denton by- election in Greater Manchester in February.
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members → raise → February
But the report said the allegations were 'fully investigated' and a probe by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) 'found no evidence of any intent to influence or stop any person from voting at the by-election'.
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probe → say → election
It added: 'Anyone attempting to interfere with how a person votes is breaking the law.
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person → add → law
Polling station staff are trained to intervene where necessary to protect the secrecy of the ballot and did so during these elections.'
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staff → train → elections
A politics watchdog has been accused of a whitewash after it 'brushed aside' evidence of illegal family voting at elections.
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it → accuse → elections
(Pictured: Tory peer Lord Hayward, who said 'there is a problem')
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who → picture → Hayward
But Tory peer Lord Hayward, who sponsored the 2023 Ballot Secrecy Act which made it a criminal offence to try to influence voting in polling booths, said: 'The commission seems to be behaving like the three wise monkeys: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
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commission → sponsor → evil
I hope sooner or later it will wake up and admit that there is a problem.'
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it → hope → ?
Tory local government spokesman Katie Lam said: 'It is deeply concerning that this report appears to brush aside serious allegations of family voting.
'
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report → say → voting
The secrecy of the ballot is a fundamental democratic safeguard and the law must be applied equally, without fear or favour.
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law → apply → fear
The commission and the Government should be making sure that the law is enforced and that every voter can exercise their democratic rights free from pressure or intimidation.
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voter → make → pressure
The report also found that 55 per cent of candidates suffered harassment or abuse.
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cent → find → harassment
Many were trolled online but some also suffered verbal abuse from rivals.
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some → troll → rivals
Some candidates were even followed down streets or attacked.
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candidates → follow → streets
Some 59 per cent of Reform UK's candidates experienced inappropriate behaviour or threats, followed by those standing for Labour (54 per cent) and the Greens (43 per cent).
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cent → experience → Labour
One candidate, whose affiliation was not disclosed, said: 'Someone attempted to attack me when I visited their property, initially went to throw a punch at me, then spat at me [and] I moved out of the way.'
The Electoral Commission said: '[We have] been in contact with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council.
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We → disclose → Police
As the police are currently reviewing this matter, we cannot comment further at this stage.
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we → review → stage
The report also includes research which shows that electoral fraud remains a concern for some voters.
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fraud → include → voters
The commission works closely with the police, local authorities and the electoral community to prevent, detect and take action against electoral fraud to ensure that voting remains secret and secure.'
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voting → work → fraud
