Confusing Similarity - in Election Law

In Election Law

There are examples of electoral confusion caused by would-be candidates deliberately choosing similar names to confuse the electorate, hence potentially affecting the outcome of an election. For example, in three instances in the United Kingdom during 1994-5: a candidate attempting to stand as a member of the 'Literal Democrat' party (in the UK there is a Liberal Democratic Party), and two instances of candidates standing for the 'Conservatory' party and the 'Conversative' party (against the Conservative Party candidate). All candidatures were rejected by the Returning Officer and the candidates had to stand using more distinguishable party names.

Read more about this topic:  Confusing Similarity

Famous quotes containing the words election and/or law:

    “Last evening attended Croghan Lodge International Order of Odd Fellows. Election of officers. Chosen Noble Grand. These social organizations have a number of good results. All who attend are educated in self-government. This in a marked way. They bind society together. The well-to-do and the poor should be brought together as much as possible. The separation into classes—castes—is our danger. It is the danger of all civilizations.”
    —Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)

    “I believe it was a good job,
    Despite this possible horror: that they might prefer the
    Preservation of their law in all its sick dignity and their knives
    To the continuation of their creed
    And their lives.”
    —Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)