Home · Politics · Sep 14 archive
Election Candidates Face Widespread Harassment, Report Shows
Confirmed
In Short: A review by the Electoral Commission found that more than half of local election candidates, particularly women and those from minority ethnic backgrounds, experienced harassment and intimidation.
, the report highlighted a significant increase in abuse and threats against candidates, with women, minority ethnic, and disabled individuals being the most targeted. The Electoral Commission recommended social media companies to develop rapid response protocols to address online abuse.
The review, which covered local and mayoral elections in England, revealed that 59% of Reform UK and 54% of Labour candidates reported experiencing inappropriate behavior, harassment, or threats. This harassment led to changes in campaign strategies and, in some cases, candidates deciding not to run again.
The report also noted that female candidates were more likely to alter their campaign behavior due to these concerns. However, voter satisfaction with the election process remained high, with 94% of respondents expressing satisfaction.
The Electoral Commission called on social media platforms to take quicker action against abusive content and urged political parties to ensure their members respect other campaigners. The findings underscore the need for greater protection and support for election candidates.
What's confirmed
- , the report highlighted a significant increase in abuse and threats against candidates, with women, minority ethnic, and disabled individuals being the most targeted. The Electoral Commission recommended social media companies to develop rapid response protocols to address online abuse.
- The review, which covered local and mayoral elections in England, revealed that 59% of Reform UK and 54% of Labour candidates reported experiencing inappropriate behavior, harassment, or threats. This harassment led to changes in campaign strategies and, in some cases, candidates deciding not to run again.
- The report also noted that female candidates were more likely to alter their campaign behavior due to these concerns. However, voter satisfaction with the election process remained high, with 94% of respondents expressing satisfaction.
- The Electoral Commission called on social media platforms to take quicker action against abusive content and urged political parties to ensure their members respect other campaigners. The findings underscore the need for greater protection and support for election candidates.
What's still developing
- We research every judicial candidate and provide comprehensive, nonpartisan voter guides for each Cook County judicial election.
- Our reporting on judicial elections and nonpartisan judicial voter guides have contributed to a significant increase in voter participation in judicial races.
- A report by the commission said candidates described being spat at and verbally and physically assaulted.
- It found that levels of abuse had reached the point where it was changing the behaviour of people standing in elections.
- “I had to take my husband out on the door this time, which was a first,” said one candidate, who was among a third of those who said they may not stand for election again because of harassment or intimidation.
- More than three-quarters (79%) said they avoided campaigning on their own at least once, compared with 46% of male candidates, while 57% avoided speaking on controversial topics, compared with 32% of men.
- The review found 59% of Reform UK and 54% of Labour candidates told of personally experiencing inappropriate behaviour, harassment or threats to their security, followed by 42% of Greens, 37% of independents, 26% of Tories and 22% of Liberal Democrats.
- Rangarajan said the changes made by some candidates in how they campaigned was affecting local politics.