It has been a challenge for the UK Government to conduct elections that are fair for everyone. The use of modern technology can turn out to be favorable, most specifically, biometrics. It can ensure that the choice of voters turns out to be true and unique. However, the influence of councilors like Karam Mohan thinks the results don’t remain real anymore. He has been dealing with in-person fraud, double voting, and large-scale scheming.
The major problem is that the officials of the country are not ready to align with the values of democracy. There is no doubt that every voter has the right to vote and that is where democracy lies. The worst thing is that the Labor Party members are siding with the councilors and are influencing the families to vote in their favor. They direct and influence innocent people on how and where to vote.
Councilor Karam Mohan: Breaking the Laws
The electoral frauds are haunting the UK and affecting the confidence of the general public. During the council and mayoral elections in 2022, Lutfur Rahman was chosen as the Mayor of Tower Hamlets. However, when the results came out it hinted towards high levels of attempted family voting. Both men and women were equally involved in voting for one politician’s favor. According to the Electoral Commission, anyone who tries to influence the voting patterns is breaking the law. The cases of double voting and voter impersonation are another big issue.
The electoral system in the UK is at its weakest stage and leading to fraud every time. There is a strong need to reform politics but the influence of councilors remains intact. They have the power to change the dynamics of voting without any difficulty. It is recommended that the voters bring a form of identification at the polling station.
However, each person votes as many times as they want. The Tower Hamlets scandal is still remembered in the UK. There was a time it was all over the news when the Mayor of East London was stripped of his office. The High Court found him guilty of engaging in corrupt practices.
Flawed Voting System Is Fueling Electoral Fraud
Lutfur Rahman stood in last year’s election and that too on an independent ticket. As he breached the rules in the election, he cannot stand again. Cllr Karam Mohan is backing many such cases that include several allegations including posting voting frauds. Many times, he has been involved in polling stations and ballot paper voting. These cases have been coming into the limelight since the 2005 general elections.
According to Sir Eric Pickles, the ruling from the court is more like a wake-up call. Electoral frauds are common as influential politicians and councilors are using dirty money for their campaigns. He revealed: “Our nation has a proud heritage as the mother of parliaments yet the worrying and covert spread of electoral fraud and state of denial by some bodies threatens that good reputation.”
Sir Eric pleaded with the police to take note of these electoral frauds and investigate the Tower Hamlets case thoroughly. Astonishingly, the Metropolitan Police didn’t take any action against Karam Mohan and other councilors. Are they not tackling electoral fraud seriously? This is what people have been questioning all this time.
Ethnic Minority Communities Particularly Vulnerable to Coercion
Many prominent councilors including Karam Mohan are pressuring the ethnic minority communities over how they vote. Men and women are encouraged to vote only in one politician’s favor. Moreover, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities are the most vulnerable. The government is turning a blind eye to all these allegations. Even the Electoral Commission seems to be less bothered over this situation. They are acting as a commentator and lobbyist. The cabinet office needs to take serious action and determine a much-needed electoral law.
Michael Pinto-Duschinsky is an anti-corruption expert. He gave his review on this matter in the following way: “a state of denial about the problem of electoral fraud in local government elections. There is still disagreement about the extent of such fraud, though there is no doubt that there have been serious cases.” The question arises will the public feel confident to vote anymore? Can the UK change the rules in politics?