THE authorities have outlined how they plan to keep this year’s General Election free and fair, as it is revealed Bradford has England’s highest rate of reports of electoral fraud and malpractice.

Elections staff and police are identifying potential hotspots for trouble ahead of the June 8 poll, and are ready to put extra staff in to monitor polling stations.

The district’s Returning Officer, Kersten England, said it was her job to ensure electors could exercise their right, “without being hassled, to make the decision they want to make in the polling booth”.

She said: “I don’t deny that elections are at times challenging in Bradford because emotions run high, democracy matters and people turn out, and sometimes that leads to issues.

“For that reason we plan with the police, we assess every ward and every polling station and we deploy resources against that risk assessment.

“We know there are certain parts of the district in which issues can arise and we have extra police on them and we have extra polling staff on them.”

The Electoral Commission has long identified Bradford as an area of concern for electoral fraud and the latest figures show the district generates England’s highest number of complaints.

During last year’s local elections and EU referendum, there were 30 allegations about fraud or malpractice in Bradford – far higher than any other local authority in England.

These included claims of bribery, undue influence of voters, impersonation or multiple voting both at polling stations and through postal votes and the distribution of illegal leaflets.

But none of these resulted in cautions or convictions.

Thirteen cases were deemed to be ‘locally resolved’ with the police finding no offence had been committed in 11 cases and no evidence in six cases.

According to former Liberal Democrat MP David Ward, who claims to have witnessed or been victim to a raft of foul play over the years, allegations are still not being taken seriously enough by the authorities. He claimed parts of Bradford would remain “a basket case” unless the issue was dealt with.

He said: “It happens every year. We complain about it every year and nothing happens.”

He said this year, he and his colleagues were ready to go out on polling day armed with camera phones to record video evidence of any malpractice.

Conservative MP for Shipley Philip Davies added: “Everybody knows that there’s electoral malpractice going on in seats in Bradford. Everybody knows it and it still happens and far too frequently, people aren’t held responsible for it.”

Ms England stressed that none of the complaints she had received and passed on to police last year had been proven.

She urged anyone with allegations to come forward and provide evidence, saying all claims would be thoroughly investigated.

Chief Superintendent Scott Bisset, Bradford District Commander for West Yorkshire Police, said: “While Bradford has been identified as the highest area for cases of electoral complaints it is important to note that the Electoral Commission has also recognised the additional work of police and partners in the district to tackle electoral fraud and encouraging people to report it.

“Police and partners recognise that electoral fraud has the potential to undermine public confidence and reports should be made to the Returning Officer in the first instance.

“All substantiated matters will be investigated by specifically trained detectives and appropriate action will be taken where offences have occurred.”

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, said he had already spoken to Ms England about the issue.

He said: “Any instance of electoral fraud or malpractice can of course not be tolerated, and I have spoken to the Chief Executive of Bradford Council, the highest officer with responsibility for the smooth running of elections, who has assured me that she will closely monitor the situation and any allegations.”

Conservative MP for Keighley, Kris Hopkins, urged anyone with information of malpractice to report it, adding: “In order to instil the highest possible confidence in the electoral process, it is incumbent upon the police to investigate any credible allegations made and bring forward prosecutions where appropriate.”