Running electoral registration - Scotland

Identifying suspicious Voter Authority Certificate and Anonymous Elector’s Document applications

Although there are no definitive signs of fraud, you should ensure that you have mechanisms in place to monitor indicators of possible fraud. Applications for Voter Authority Certificates and Anonymous Elector’s Documents do not have to be taken at face value. You can require additional information where necessary, such as an attestation, to verify the identity of an applicant. 

You should pay particular attention to:

  • multiple applications completed in the same handwriting
  • large numbers of applications received from one property
  • multiple applications with the same photograph submitted

More information on identifying suspicious applications can be found in our registration guidance.

Last updated: 17 November 2022