THE ONE-PENNY fine imposed on a Northern Irish pensioner for failure to properly complete an electoral registration form has been described as an “insult”.
Ian Withers (68), from Steeple Road in Antrim town, was arrested for electoral fraud after refusing to give his national insurance number on the form.
The district judge told Antrim Magistrates Court on Tuesday the arrest was “appalling”, but imposed a fine of a single penny.
Chief electoral officer Douglas Bain, called as a witness, said failure to provide such information when requested was an offence in Northern Ireland.
“He doesn’t have to be on this register, but once he applies to be, he legally has to provide information when requested,” Mr Bain said.
DUP councillor for South Antrim Trevor Clarke said it had been “a waste of taxpayers’ money” to bring the case to court.
“The fining of one penny adds insult to injury,” he added. “Whilst it is important in Northern Ireland to see electoral fraud prevented, this case seems pointless. I would be concerned that such a story would in fact discourage people to register for fear of being accused of fraud.”