Isle of Man election law reforms bring 'greater transparency'

Legal changes aimed at bringing greater "transparency and integrity" to Isle of Man elections have been introduced after they received Royal Assent.

The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill was proposed in April, after election fraud in 2012.

In a trial at Douglas Courthouse three people were found guilty of manipulating the island's proxy voting system during a 2010 by-election.

The new Isle of Man election laws come into force on Wednesday.

A government spokesman said the reforms mean each candidate will be restricted to a campaign spend of £2,000 plus 50 pence for each potential voter in the constituency.

The Manx government said the new rules would not be applied during any by-elections within the next 12 months.

A spokesman added that it would bring a "level playing field" to the election process.

Other changes mean that all political parties must be registered before offering financial support to a House of Keys candidate.