EU referendum: Voters warned not to take selfies inside polling stations

Warning: Voters have been warned not to take selfies inside polling station
Mary Turner/Getty Images
Jamie Bullen23 June 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Voters have been reminded to refrain from taking selfies when casting their ballots in the European referendum.

The Electoral Commission has warned people against using their camera phones inside polling station amid fears it could breach secrecy requirements.

Anyone wanting to take a photo has been asked to pose outside the station.

The Electoral Commission tweeted: “Remember our advice is - DON'T take selfies in polling stations.”

Guidelines on its website state: “The Electoral Commission advises voters not to take photos inside the polling station as they could potentially breach the secrecy of the ballot requirements.

“Anyone who wants to take a selfie can do this outside the polling station.”

The Electoral Commission first warned voters against taking selfies in 2014 during the local elections and repeated the advice at last year’s general election.

Although not strictly illegal, the practice may get you into hot water thanks to the Representation of the People Act.

The law doesn’t permit you to communicate “information obtained in a polling station”, which could include how someone has voted or is about to vote.

A breach of the law could result in a £5,000 fine or a jail sentence of up to six months.

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