Blunder gives children 'vote' (From Western Telegraph)

Blunder gives children 'vote'

PEMBROKESHIRE parliamentary candidates will be hoping people turn out in their droves tomorrow (Thursday), but not even the most hopeful of prospective MPs could count on the Bonser family's vote.

According to the electoral register, Ashley, aged 12, Wesley, 11 and nine-year-old Molly, can all vote at the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot, after receiving polling cards last week.

"I decided to vote by post this year and when the form came through I filled it out and I had my postal vote through without any problem. But two days later cards came through for the children to vote and I couldn't believe it," explained mother, Lucy Mabbett, who lives in Sardis, near Kilgetty.

The mother-of-three said the children were 'tickled pink' by the election hiccup.

But, despite seeing the funny side, she said the extra cards could have been used fraudulently in the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire election.

"I have been open and honest about the mistake and I think it is quite funny, but there is a serious side and it's quite a worry to think how many other people have received them," she said.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it has checked the electoral registration form and discovered it has been filled in incorrectly.

A spokesman added: "Every form is checked, but election staff can only rely on the information provided by the householder who has filled in the form. It is an offence knowingly to fill in forms incorrectly."

But Lucy argued that if she had made a mistake the council should have picked up on it. Although Ashley, Wesley and Molly will have to wait a few more years to vote, politics has now gained three new admirers.