Nigel Farage desires to ban Commonwealth residents from voting in British parliamentary elections. He claimed that it led to elections being fought on worldwide slightly than home points, and stated “we need to think very hard” about permitting residents to vote from the 56 international locations throughout Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific.
At current, Commonwealth residents can register to vote in the event that they meet residency or leave-to-remain situations. He informed the Telegraph: “It is right that only British citizens should be able to vote in British parliamentary elections.” He has also called for mass postal voting to be scrapped, claiming it would save British democracy from “corruption”, following the fallout from the Denton and Gorton by-election.
Mr Farage stated: “If this is what was happening at polling stations, just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes.”
At the Denton and Gorton by-election, where the Greens claimed victory, a mass row erupted over claims of alleged family voting.
The illegal practice is when relatives accompany voters into the polling booth, potentially influencing their decision. Democracy Volunteers said it had seen family voting in 12% of polling stations.
Labour Chair Anna Turley said the reports were “extremely worrying”. Nigel Farage, whose celebration additionally didn’t win, stated it was “deeply concerning”.
The Reform UK chief desires ministers to limit postal voting to those that “genuinely cannot vote in person on the day”, backed up by proof. This could embody the aged and infirm, or these working overseas or serving abroad within the Armed Forces.
US President Donald Trump additionally vowed final 12 months to scrap postal votes by the 2026 midterm elections, after claiming on Truth Social that mail-in ballots solely existed within the US electoral system.
However, postal votes are utilized in a number of international locations worldwide. In October 2024, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance revealed that at the very least 32 international locations or territories authorised in-country postal voting. Several different international locations authorised mail-in ballots for residents overseas.
A spokesman for the performing returning officer on the Denton and Gorton by-election stated the claims round household had been “extremely disappointing”. Claims had been being assessed by police.
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https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2176806/nigel-farage-ban-commonwealth-votes