There are 2 leaflets that have been uploaded to The Straight Choice.org recently that look a bit legally dodgy (see below). They may or not actually be illegal, but I don't know and would like to report the relevant authorities anyway, if nothing else to know what the correct process is.
The Electoral Commission say they can only investigate issues relating to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and anything else needs to go to the police. I tried phoning the Met earlier in the year when we had a similar issue and got bounced round 3 departments before they admitted they didn't know what to do. Today I have tried the Met again, but they say they cant do anything if the incident happened outside London, whilst Nottingham Police say the opposite - I am in London so need to report it there. Liverpool police said "this is a by law which has been implemented by the Government, at this time this is not a police matter" and said I needed to contact the council. Anyone have any ideas whose responsibility policing elections actually is? Richard 1) This Liberal Democrat leaflet which suggests that the Green Party candidate has withdrawn from the election: http://www.thestraightchoice.org/leaflet.php?q=585 Which we believe may fall under Section 106(5) of the Representation of the People Act 1983: "Any person who, before or during an election, knowingly publishes a false statement of a candidate’s withdrawal at the election for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of another candidate shall be guilty of an illegal practice." 2) This BNP leaflet which uses stock images next to claims that are attributed to real voters: http://www.thestraightchoice.org/leaflet.php?q=576 We have tracked down the source of the image to here: http://en.fotolia.com/id/8082432?by=release We have been told before that the use of 'false canvassers' is illegal, but don't know under exactly which piece of legislation. Possibly this is under Section 111 of the Representation of People Act 1983. -- /* [email protected] memespring.co.uk ++44 7976730458 memespring (flickr/skype/etc) memspr (aim) */ _______________________________________________ Mailing list [email protected] Archive, settings, or unsubscribe: https://secure.mysociety.org/admin/lists/mailman/listinfo/developers-public
