HC Deb 16 June 2004 vol 422 cc1021-2W
Mr. Robathan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the possibility of people who are registered in two electoral districts because they own two homes being able to exercise two votes in the European parliamentary elections and remain undetected. [179042]

Mr. Leslie

Although it is possible for certain persons to appear on two electoral registers and consequently to receive ballot papers for two different locations, it is an offence for a person to vote twice in European Parliamentary elections anywhere in Europe. Any offence, if successfully prosecuted, could result in a fine of up to £5,000. Member states exchange information about electors registered in more than one state, with the aim of preventing double voting. There has been no detailed assessment of the extent of this area of fraud but in response to the Electoral Commission's review of registration, the majority of Electoral Registration Officers reported no experience of such fraud.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many individuals are registered to vote in more than one electoral district. [179043]

Mr. Leslie

This information is not collected.