HL Deb 08 May 2001 vol 625 c178WA
Lord Weatherill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What safeguards exist to ensure that postal votes at elections are not subject to abuse. [HL2052]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

Though the Representation of the People Act 2000 simplified the procedure for absent voting, important safeguards remain in place.

Before an application to cast an absent vote is granted the electoral registration officer will check that the person is a properly registered elector.

For any postal vote to be counted there must be a properly witnessed declaration of identity in respect of it.