Banksy, the elusive street artist, has been forced to withdraw an offer of a free artwork for people voting against the Conservatives after claiming that the Electoral Commission had warned that the stunt risked making the election invalid.
Banksy, who has achieved cult status through his controversial murals, announced a “product recall” on his website after offering to send a limited edition print to voters in seats around Bristol who submitted ballot paper photos proving that they had voted for non-Conservative candidates.
The recall message was accompanied by a picture of the artist’s Girl With Balloon, with the red heart balloon replaced by the Union Flag.
Avon and Somerset police said that they were investigating after receiving a number of complaints last week about the offer, which was made to voters in the Bristol North West, Bristol West, Somerset North, Thornbury & Yate, Kingswood and Filton & Bradley Stoke constituencies.
The artist, who often paints under cover of darkness and scaffolding, is thought to have opposed the Brexit vote in last year’s EU referendum. Last month he claimed responsibility for a three-storey high Brexit mural depicting a worker chiselling away one of the stars on the European Union flag that was painted on to the side of a property in Dover.
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The Electoral Commission said that any offer that sought to “induce any voter to vote or not vote” could be an electoral offence. In response, Banksy said on his website: “I have been warned by the Electoral Commission that the free print offer will invalidate the election result. So I regret to announce this ill-conceived and legally dubious promotion has now been cancelled.”
The initial offer said: “Simply send in a photo of your ballot paper from polling day showing you voted against the Conservative incumbent and this complimentary gift will be mailed to you.”
In a “lawyer’s note” it added: “This print is a souvenir piece of campaign material, it is in no way meant to influence the choices of the electorate, has no monetary value, is for amusement purposes only and is strictly not for resale. Terms and conditions to follow, postage not included.”
A spokesman for the Electoral Commission added that the law regulating the taking of photos of ballot papers was complex and advised against such action.
The charity Crimestoppers has been warning voters to be wary of electoral fraud, saying on its website: “It’s illegal to offer money or gifts to voters, directly or indirectly, to get someone to vote a certain way, or not to vote at all.”