Police investigate claim of election fraud in Glasgow East

Ballot papers are counted in Glasgow. The suspicious ballot was counted but police are investigating possible fraud. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Police are investigating allegations of electoral fraud in Scotland after a report of a person voting under a false identity.

The claim centred on a polling station in the Glasgow East constituency. According to Glasgow city council, staff had concerns about a ballot and called police.

Count staff found the suspect ballot paper and handed it to police as evidence. The paper was nevertheless counted, the council said.

The gloves are on: hunt for possible fraudulent vote in Glasgow East #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/D2pmkKslJL

— Lucy Christie (@LucyChristiePA) May 7, 2015

It is believed that polling station staff became suspicious after a person came in and gave a name and address for which a ballot had already been cast.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Following a report of possible personation at a polling station in Glasgow this evening, police are working with electoral staff and inquiries are continuing.”

The seat, which had been held by Labour’s Margaret Curran, was won by the SNP’s Natalie McGarry, who achieved a swing of more than 30%.