Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which local authorities are taking part in the postal vote pilots for the local government elections in May 2018; and what specific measures are to be piloted in each such local authority area.

In his review into electoral fraud Sir Eric Pickles recommended the Government consider voters and proxy voters producing personal identification and enhance measures to protect the integrity of the postal vote process.

Tower Hamlets, Slough and Peterborough are considering measures to improve the security of the postal vote process. The measures will include providing additional guidance in postal vote packs to inform electors how to report suspected fraudulent activity.

The pilots will be evaluated by the Electoral Commission under its statutory duty as well as Cabinet Office.