Farage questions ‘integrity of Democratic process’ in Gorton and Denton by-election | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleShaheena UddinFriday 27 February 2026 00:58 GMTDirty tricks row erupts over Gorton and Denton by-electionNigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has raised concerns about the “integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas" following reports of high levels of family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election.Family voting is an illegal practice where two voters confer, collude or direct each other on how to cast their ballot.Election observer group Democracy Volunteers reported "concerningly high levels" of family voting, stating it was the highest they had witnessed in a decade of observing UK elections.The group observed family voting in 15 out of 22 polling stations visited in Gorton and Denton, representing 68 per cent of the observed stations.Democracy Volunteers noted that 12 per cent of the 545 voters they observed were involved in family voting, significantly higher than the 1 per cent seen in a recent Runcorn and Helsby by-election.In fullGorton and Denton by-election live: Polls close in pivotal three-way battle between Labour, Greens and ReformThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in