Voters reassured about Sheffield elections

The campaign group Vote Leave was this week fined £61,000 by the Electoral Commission after it ruled it had broken its spending limits during the referendum.

This prompted Sheffield resident Adam Butcher to ask the council’s Cabinet how robust its election processes were in the city.

Mr Butcher said: “In light of Brexit, how can we make sure the local elections are sound with no fraud?”

Council Leader Julie Dore said she had researched back several years and there was no evidence of any wrongdoing in elections or overspending.

“I did have a look back at our records on how we carry out elections appropriately and legally. Vote Leave was to do with the spending limits and as a council we have never spent over our limit, we have stayed well within it.

“Our election returns are open to public scrutiny for up to two years after an election. The Returning Officer can refer any malpractice to the police for an investigation and there have been no recent prosecutions. Be reassured elections in Sheffield are safe and secure and will continue to be so.”