Electoral Office to receive £1M additional funding

The Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne has agreed to give the Electoral Office an additional £1 million in funding to help prevent electoral fraud.

The extra money comes just days after the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act received Royal Assent on May 1, 2002. The Act contains measures to prevent personation at the polls and to prevent fraud in the absent vote process.

According to Minister Browne, the extra funding will be spent on additional staff, resources and accommodation for the Electoral Office.

Denis Stanley, Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland said he was pleased the money had been allocated, as it would go some way towards preventing electoral fraud.

He added: "We do, of course, need the support of the electorate who must provide additional personal information on registration at this autumn's annual canvass. I would urge everyone to make sure that they know, for example, their National Insurance number well in advance and have it ready at hand."

Mr Browne said: "The Government wants to see electoral fraud entirely eliminated from Northern Ireland. The Electoral Fraud Act provides the legislative framework to make this possible but these additional resources will enable the Electoral Office to implement the law to maximum effect."

(AMcE)