How can election results be distorted? After all, the process is monitored by observers and journalists, filmed with cameras and carefully checked. Is it possible to interfere under such conditions? Unfortunately, yes. Dishonest methods of various kinds are used everywhere and Liverpool is no exception. Learn more at liverpoolyes.com.
Frauds from the past
Bribery is one of the simple and effective illegal methods, which was used in the 18th century too. Of course, bribery was considered illegal but quite common.
In 1830, Liverpool needed additional elections because of the sudden death of William Huskisson, one of the city’s sitting members. Two candidates applied to his place, John Evelyn Denison and William Evart. The latter won by a narrow margin. This election stood out not only because of its huge cost, about £100,000, but also detected cases of bribery.
The records of that year’s polls note bribes worth more than £20,000. Another document stored in Liverpool’s archives proved that thousands of voters were paid from £5 to £40 for their vote. After such large-scale bribery, Liverpool began to be compared to the most corrupt districts of England. As a result, the elections were declared invalid.
Nowadays, electoral bribery is a criminal offence and is prosecuted by law. However, we can’t claim that this method is not used.
Another popular fraud of past centuries was the pressure on voters and even direct intimidation. There were cases when bribed supporters of certain candidates were waiting for a voter near polling stations and threatened them to vote for their “clients”.
What about nowadays?
It should be noted that cases of electoral fraud are very rare in the UK but they still exist. One of these methods is “dirty” agitation.
Thus, during the 2023 local elections, the Labour Party was accused of a dirty and dishonest campaign against LCI (Liverpool Community Independents) candidates. The Labourers shared contradictory posts on social networks and distributed leaflets that degraded their opponents.
For example, one of the leaflets accused Candidate Gorst of illegally receiving social housing and disrespect for the Queen, although it wasn’t the truth. Such a dishonest game led to reverse results. LCI Candidate Sam Gorst defeated the Labourers in one of Liverpool’s most stable left electorates.
There is also multiple voting, when a voter is registered at two polling stations (for example, at the place of residence and study), voting twice.
Another illegal method is coaxing. It works like bribery, but in this case, candidates or their supporters directly or indirectly offer voters various entertainment, drinks, food, etc., instead of money.
How do residents prevent falsifications?
Dishonest elections, like corruption, undermine the authority of the city and the country as a whole. That is why honest candidates urge residents to immediately report any observed violation, such as bribery, intimidation, false registration, an attempt to pretend to be another person, etc. In addition, each candidate must strictly follow the rules regarding the amount of money they can spend on the election campaign. If voters have doubts about this, they can also inform the election commission.
All in all, there are many ways to distort the election results and they are used even in the modern world. Therefore, our social consciousness can change a lot.