British police arrested a man today on suspicion of stealing ballot papers ahead of the elections next week that will see the trial of an all postal vote in several parts of the country.
Greater Manchester Police said a family had come forward after two men called at their home last week and asked to look after their ballot papers for the June 10th elections for local councils and the European Parliament.
The men took five ballot papers and left.
The 39-year-old, who was not named, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and theft of ballot papers. He was bailed until August 5th, a police spokeswoman said.
Britain is hoping to boost voter turnout by trying out the all postal vote in the North West, North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside regions of England.
But the experiment has caused some problems, with voters complaining that ballots were not delivered on time.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have accused the Labour Party of using the system to boost turn-out in areas that support it.