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Election Offences

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled Answered 16 March 2026UIN 118913

The question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116224, whether the Electoral Commission plans to undertake research on the relationship between biradari networks, first cousin marriage and electoral fraud.

Answered by Sir Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission does not plan to research the relationship between biradari networks, first cousin marriage and electoral fraud.

Despite very low levels of proven electoral fraud in the UK, it is a matter the Commission takes seriously. It publishes annual data from police services on allegations of electoral fraud, and runs a fraud prevention and awareness campaign each year. It works closely with the electoral community and the Police to prevent, detect and take action against electoral fraud.

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