Election Ballot Papers

Keith Vaz
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the merits of requiring voters to sign for receipt of their ballot paper.

Bridget Prentice
Signing for the receipt of ballot papers at polling stations is an additional security measure that will help to prevent and detect incidences of electoral fraud. It will aid the police with any investigation they may have to undertake post election.

This measure was piloted at the May 4 2006 local elections, and the Electoral Commission are due to publish an evaluation report shortly.