§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans the Government have to review the format of the absent voter forms to prevent fraud by misappropriation of proxy votes; what systems are in place to monitor the number of people claiming proxy votes in elections; and if he will make a statement; [22289]
(2) what steps are being taken to monitor the exercising of proxy votes in the local government elections; [22288]
(3) if he will consider the collection of statistics on the use of proxy votes. [22286]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerAbsent voting application forms have been amended to ensure that electors indicate clearly whether they are applying to vote by post or proxy, and to ensure that all appointments of a proxy are signed by the elector. These amendments help to prevent fraud. The number of proxies appointed to vote was collated for the first time at the 1994 European parliamentary elections296W and similar statistics will be collated at the next general election. Figures relating to proxy voting at local government elections are not collected centrally.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to increase the penalties for electoral fraud where the offence involves the deprivation of a vulnerable elector of his or her vote. [22290]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerNone.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the use in elections of travelling ballot boxes which can be taken to hospitals and residential homes where there are more than 10 residents. [22287]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThere are no plans to do so.