Police in the North to investigate possible electoral fraud

Police in the North have launched a probe into possible electoral postal fraud in the Dungannon area of Co Tyrone.

The Electoral Office confirmed a rise of almost a third on applications for either postal or proxy votes ahead of the May 5 poll, compared to similar applications for last year's European elections.

More than 33,000 people have now made applications to cast votes through the post in the general election.

Voters are entitled to claim a postal vote if they are sick or planning holidays or a business trip at the time of the poll.