Rochdale councillor accepts police caution after voting twice in local election
Written by News on 15/08/2018
A Rochdale councillor said he did not know he was not allowed to vote twice, as he accepted a police caution over electoral fraud.
Faisal Rana, a Labour councillor in Rochdale, voted in two different wards in May’s council elections, because he has properties in different parts of the city.
He said it was a genuine mistake because he had misinterpreted Electoral Commission rules.
Cllr Rana told Sky News: “I have accepted a police caution for an electoral offence, which relates to me casting separate votes for two different wards in two different Constituencies (Spotland and Falinge, and Norden Ward) in the local elections earlier this year.
“I legally registered my votes by providing my genuine national insurance number, date of birth and addresses and when I received these through the post I thought it would have been OK and that is why they issued me two ballots for two constituencies.
“I did not realise this was an offence and misinterpreted the rule that says it is possible to vote in two different electoral areas.
“As soon as this was brought to my attention I went for a voluntary interview at local police station and co-operated with police fully in this regard.”
He apologised for his mistake, saying he wanted to put it behind him and serve his constituents.
Electoral Commission rules allow people to vote twice in the same set of council elections if the votes are cast for different councils.
Voters cannot lodge two ballots if the wards fall into different parliamentary constituencies, but the same council.
The rule allows students to vote in council elections in their home wards and their university wards, if they move away to study.
Steve Rumbelow, the council’s chief executive and returning officer for the borough, said: “The council worked jointly with the police and cooperated fully with the investigation into a complaint of an offence contrary to the Representation of the People Act (1983).
“As returning officer I am grateful to the person who brought this matter to the attention of the authorities and supportive of the action taken.”
Leader of the council, Labour’s Allen Brett, said: “It is vital that councillors do all that they can to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
“As soon as he became aware of this, Councillor Rana stepped away from his cabinet responsibilities.
“Naturally, I am disappointed in Councillor Rana’s error because he is a very talented and hardworking individual who shares our collective passion to improve our borough.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “On 24 May 2018, police received a report of electoral fraud which relates to the local elections of May 2018.
“On Monday 13 August 2018 a 51-year-man was cautioned with engaging in an act at an election intending to deprive another of a vote contrary to sections 62A(1) and 168(1) of the Representations of the People Act 1983.”
(c) Sky News 2018: Rochdale councillor accepts police caution after voting twice in local election
