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  "path": "/politics/local-elections-husbands-wives-vote-jail-family-voting-warning",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-08T23:23:52.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "the Green Party win",
    "Reform UK looks to bat off rivals ahead of crunch vote after councillor jailed",
    "‘No experience necessary!’ Labour struggles to find candidates ahead of crucial local elections",
    "Calls for election campaigning in foreign languages to be BANNED amid 'worrying' sectarianism rise",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Electoral Commission has warned that spouses who pressure their partners over how to vote in the upcoming local elections could face prison.\n\nThe watchdog issued the alert over the “serious crime” of family voting ahead of polling day on May 7.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe illegal practice involves individuals influencing or directing how another person casts their ballot - including instructing a spouse which party to support.\n\nNiki Nixon, the Commission’s director of communications, said: “No matter how you vote, your vote is yours alone.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nShe added: “Your right to vote independently, privately, and free from undue pressure is protected in law.”\n\n“Anyone who tries to induce or compel someone to vote a particular way, or not to vote at all, is committing a serious crime that can result in a prison sentence.”\n\nMs Nixon also stressed: “Cases of reported fraud in the UK are very low, but we must not be complacent.”\n\nThe warning follows Greater Manchester Police (GMP) dropping an investigation into allegations of family voting during February’s Gorton and Denton by-election.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe contest saw the Green Party win what had previously been a safe Labour seat.\n\nDemocracy Volunteers, an election observer group, reported “concerningly high levels” of the banned practice in the constituency.\n\nPolice launched an inquiry after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the claims raised “serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas”.\n\nHowever, GMP confirmed last month it had closed the case, finding no evidence of any “intent to influence or deter any person from casting a ballot”.\n\n### LOCAL ELECTIONS - READ THE LATEST:\n\n\n\n\n  * Reform UK looks to bat off rivals ahead of crunch vote after councillor jailed\n  * ‘No experience necessary!’ Labour struggles to find candidates ahead of crucial local elections\n  * Calls for election campaigning in foreign languages to be BANNED amid 'worrying' sectarianism rise\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Farage lambasted the decision as an \"establishment whitewash\".\n\nHe said: “This isn't good enough. We need proper oversight, real accountability and the courage to admit when something isn't right, not another brushed-under-the-carpet report from the usual suspects.”\n\nA specific offence targeting family voting was introduced in 2023.\n\nThe law makes it illegal to accompany someone into a polling booth or stand nearby with the intention of influencing their vote.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLord Hayward, the Conservative peer who introduced the measure, said the system had “gone wrong in a substantial way” in Gorton and Denton.\n\nMark Hallas, chief executive of Crimestoppers, said tackling the issue also required vigilance from the public.\n\nHe said: “Our country has a history of holding elections that are internationally trusted and seen to be fair. This is a tradition we can all play a part in protecting.”\n\nHe added: “It's vital that anyone with suspicions of voter fraud speaks up, either to the police or completely anonymously to Crimestoppers.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Husbands who tell wives how to vote could face jail as ‘family voting’ warning issued"
}