Respect John Rees writes to Lin Homer

Full text of John Rees' letter to Birmingham returning Oficer Lin Homer
Dear Lin Homer,


It has been brought to my attention by constituents of Hodge Hill that the retiring Labour MP, Terry Davis, has sent postal vote application forms to voters in the constituency along with the letter announcing that he is standing down as MP for Hodge Hill. This letter arrived on the same day that the writ was moved declaring that the by-election was to be held on the 15th July 2004.


You will be aware that there are two cases alleging electoral fraud which involve postal voting before the High Court as a result of the June 10th council elections in Birmingham.

Naturally I am concerned that neither the law nor the established custom and practice in the use of postal voting has been breached in this case. I am alarmed at press reports that the number of applications for postal votes has increased from 500 in previous elections in this constituency to 5,000 for this election.


It seems to me that postal votes are intended for the use of those who are either too ill or infirm to go to a polling station or those who are away from the constituency on polling day. Is there any preceden


Perhaps you could set my mind at rest on the following key issues:


1. Is it legal for the sitting MP to use fore-knowledge of the date on which an election will be called to send postal vote application forms to constituents before the date of the election has been made public?


2. Is is legal to distribute such forms to voters who have not requested them from the elections office?


3. Is it legal for a political party to distribute such forms rather than the elections office?


4. What proceedures are in place to ensure that the postal vote system is not abused?


I would appreciate a quick response on these matters as they obviously have a direct relevance to the fairness of the poll on the 15 July.


Yours faithfully,

John Rees, Respect Coalition prospective Parliamentary candidate for Hodge Hill