A council were investigating claims that a twelve-year-old boy voted in the General Election – wearing his school uniform.
Brandon Thorne, 12, accompanied his parents Ramon, 75, and Naomi, 44, to their polling station at Thetford Abbey Neighbourhood Centre, in Thetford, Norfolk, last Thursday.
Brandon, a pupil at the Charles Burrell Humanities School in Thetford. wanted to see whether he would be able to vote after receiving a polling card through the post.
Wearing his school uniform, he allegedly presented his polling card and was given a ballot paper which he used to vote for Conservative candidate Elizabeth Truss.
The legal age for voting is 18 and voting underage is a criminal offence punishable with a £5,000 fine or six months in prison.
Brandon, who is six-feet three-inches tall, was not questioned or asked for ID at the polling station for the South West Norfolk Constituency.
The youngster received his polling card a month ago after his parents filled in a voting registration form.
They included the names and ages of everyone in their home including Brandon and his 16-year-old brother Ashley.
Brandon took his polling card along as an experiment and did not expect to be allowed to vote so easily.
He said: ”It’s a bit weird that I was allowed to vote and I think there should be more restrictions.
”I’m not interested in politics, I just wanted to see what would happen.”
Ramon, a former lorry driver and security guard, was shocked at how easy it was for his son to cast a vote.
He said: ”I can’t understand how they allowed him to vote.
”You look at him and he’s a big lad, six feet three inches, but you can tell by his facial appearance he’s only a child.
”They should have asked him for ID.”
Breckland Council have been unable to confirm the allegations and have launched an investigation into the matter.
A spokeswoman said: ”Poll cards are issued to eligible voters listed on the register of electors.
”The register of electors is created using the information provided on voter registration forms.
”The responsibility for accurately completely the form. Providing false information on the voter registration form is a criminal offence.
”If an individual receives a poll card, as a result of falsely completed voter registration form, and goes on to vote knowing they are not entitled to, this is also a criminal offence.
”We are therefore referring the matter to the police and Breckland Council and will assist as necessary.
”The council would like to stress that the action would not have had any effect on the outcome of the poll results.”
Conservative Elizabeth Truss held the constituency of South West Norfolk with 23,753 votes.
Shortly after the election it emerged that 14-year-old Alfie McKenzie voted Lib Dems without anyone querying his identity at the polling station next to his school in Preesall, Lancashire.
Teachers at St Aidan’s High School, raised the alarm after Alfie was overheard bragging to his classmates.
wooo Brandon a vote for democracy you rebelious lanky child.
wooo Brandon a vote for democracy you rebelious lanky child.