The Gorton and Denton byelection has come under scrutiny as an election observer group highlighted potential breaches of secret ballot rules. Democracy Volunteers, an organization founded by Dr. John Ault, deployed four accredited observers across the constituency, monitoring 22 out of 45 polling stations. Their observations raised concerns about 'family voting,' where individuals appeared to collude on their votes, contradicting the stipulations of the Ballot Secrecy Act enacted in 2023.

The observers dedicated significant time—between 30 to 45 minutes each—to monitoring polling stations. They aimed to ensure compliance with voting regulations and to assess the impact of new voter ID requirements. Despite the worries expressed by the observers, Manchester City Council stated that their staff had undergone training to identify potential voter interference and reported no incidents during the voting hours, raising questions about the efficacy of the training and monitoring processes in place.

The concerns raised by Democracy Volunteers highlight the ongoing issues related to electoral integrity and the implementation of new voting laws in the UK. As local elections continue to grapple with these challenges, the need for transparent practices and effective oversight becomes increasingly pressing to maintain public confidence in the democratic process and to ensure fair electoral outcomes.