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Nigel Farage announced that Reform UK has made claims of “family voting” to the Electoral Commission and the police for investigation.
The term “family voting” refers to situations in which multiple votes within households may be influenced or directed; this is a criminal offence under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
These allegations emerged following the Gorton and Denton by-election, which saw smaller parties achieve strong results.
Farage said in a statement: “Reform has today reported the many cases of ‘family voting’ to the electoral commission and the police.
What was witnessed yesterday is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas.
“If this is what was happening at polling stations, just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes.
“If action isn’t taken now, then we will ensure it is after the next General Election.”
The official election observer group, Democracy Volunteers, said that they saw “concerningly high levels of family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Reform has today reported the many cases of ‘family voting’ to the Electoral Commission and Greater Manchester Police.
What was witnessed yesterday is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas.
If… pic.twitter.com/7Fxz0ZBAJv
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) February 27, 2026
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: “Electoral offences are a matter for the police.
“We encourage anyone who believes an offence has occurred to report it to the police.”
Asked if the Prime Minister had concerns about the allegations, a No 10 spokesman said: “The law is the law, and it’s essential that electors can cast their votes in secret without any risk of coercion.
“Obviously, if anyone has witnessed coercion, they should discuss that matter with their local elections team or the police.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News: “People should be able to vote in a free way and not subject to any coercion, and so it would be right that the appropriate authorities, including potentially the Electoral Commission, look into those reports.”
A spokesperson for the Green Party said: “This is an attempt to undermine the democratic result and is straight out of the Trump playbook.
“We’ve just won a historic by-election by a comfortable margin. We’ve shown the country that Greens can beat Reform, despite their big business donations.”
This complaint arises amid heightened political competition in urban constituencies, where multiple parties are challenging traditional voting patterns. Labour had previously held the Gorton and Denton seat for decades, making these recent electoral developments particularly sensitive.
Earlier on Friday Farage has criticized the Green Party of England and Wales, calling their victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election “a victory for sectarian voting and cheating.” This comment followed Hannah Spencer’s win, which added to the party’s electoral momentum.
Farage praised Reform UK candidate Matthew Goodwin and expressed optimism about upcoming elections, stating, “Roll on the elections on May 7th… It will be goodbye Starmer and goodbye to the Tory party.”
He alleged “unprecedented levels” of illegal family voting in the constituency, although no verified evidence has been provided, and electoral authorities have not confirmed any misconduct. These claims have heightened political tensions after the by-election.
In response, the Green Party rejected Farage’s comments as an attempt to undermine a democratic outcome. A spokesperson characterized his remarks as “straight out of the Trump playbook” and highlighted the significance of their victory despite strong financial backing for Reform UK.
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