Press Release
22nd October 2004

Leading No Campaigner Gets Four Ballot Papers!

Having raised concerns over the all postal ballots during the European Elections, and having been instrumental in exposing the printing problems in the North East, it is ironic that leading No Campaigner, Neil Herron has received FOUR Ballot Papers.

Herron, though, who moved house in June, received not only his ballot pack on Wednesday, but also those for three previous occupants.He said the mix-up showed there was a massive potential for fraud in the all-postal ballot.

Referendum officials said people should always tell council election officials that they have moved.

Speaking from his home in Westlands, off Chester Road, Mr Herron said:

"As a good citizen, I am sending them all back to the elections office. However, if I was an unscrupulous person, and not someone of the highest probity and morality, then I could have indulged myself, voted four times and nobody would be any the wiser. It just goes to show the flaws of the postal ballot system."

Mr Herron believed his case might just be the tip of the iceberg and wondered what else was happening across the North East in students' halls or houses of multiple-occupancy.

"The electoral register would not have created this problem if it was not an all-postal ballot as I would have had to present myself to election officials at the ballot box. I could have got away with one or two disguises, a wig and a false moustache, but to dress up as a woman would have probably blown my gaffe. I think this highlights the huge potential for fraud with all postal ballots."

Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, who is overseeing the referendum as chief counting officer, said: "It is the elector's responsibility to let their electoral registration officer know of any house move or change of address – and that is true in this case."The law does not allow us to remove names from the record during the period of rolling registration unless we're informed by the elector concerned."

Mr Fitzgerald reminded people it was an offence for a person to interfere with a ballot pack not addressed to them. He added: "If any elector is in any doubt about what they should do, they should contact the elections office at Sunderland Civic Centre or call 0191-553 1141."

ENDS

Contact Neil Herron Campaign Director
North East No Campaign
Frederick Street
Sunderland
SR1 1NF

Tel. 0191 565 7143
Mob. 07776 202045

www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk
www.neilherron.blogspot.com

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