After a story that was broadcast on this site on 29th May 2012 http://www.bnp.org.uk/news/national/disgrace-british-politics Pendle Council is now holding an enquiry after issues were also raised by residents, councillors, and Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson.

Mr Stephenson said too few checks were being made following an incredible rise in postal votes in parts of the borough.

Predictably, the council's Labour leader, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal said the allegations were "sour grapes" and said his party had won seats from the Conservatives fairly, adding: "There isn't a problem in Pendle.

"I challenge Mr Stephenson to produce the evidence and let the police deal with it."

Mr Stephenson told the House of Commons in May: "The simple fact is that in parts of Britain electoral fraud is widespread and has led to fraudulent election results.

"That is a disgrace and should be tackled immediately.
"In parts of my constituency it is not uncommon for seven, eight or more voters to be registered as living in a terraced house and no-one makes any checks on that."
He told the house that the council's chief executive Stephen Barnes had written a letter to the Electoral Commission last year, stating that the allegations and perceptions of malpractice around postal voting "are seriously undermining public confidence in the whole electoral process".

The panel, consisting of cross-party councillors and representatives, will gather evidence at five public hearings across the borough.

Anyone using postal or proxy votes is being asked to attend.