Five arrested in Greater Manchester over alleged election fraud

Five people have been arrested in Greater Manchester on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud in connection with allegations of electoral fraud during recent local elections. The arrests follow an investigation into claims that fake independent candidates were placed on the ballot in Tameside's St Peters ward to split opposition votes.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, were taken into custody at addresses in Tameside. The force stated it had received reports concerning candidates in the St Peters ward in the days surrounding the election on May 7. A police spokesperson said a full investigation has been launched, specifically examining the process by which candidates were put forward and whether it adhered to electoral legislation and procedures. Authorities are working with the Electoral Commission on the inquiry.

The allegations, first reported by a local news website, center on claims that members of the Tameside Labour group discussed planting fake independent candidates named Muhammad Ali and Marie Fairhurst in the St Peters ward. According to the reports, a local woman named Marie Fairhurst stated she was unaware her name...