Man 'puts his vote up for sale'

The auction of a vote has been branded 'illegal'

A man apparently offering to sell his vote on eBay has been condemned by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

In the advert placed on the website, a man apparently from London's Tower Hamlets, says he will vote according to the highest bidder's wishes.

The website has now closed down the man's page offering the sale.

A spokesman for the DCA told BBC News Online: "We utterly, utterly condemn this. People should vote on conscience and conscience alone."

He added: "Democracy should not be put up for sale."

If genuine, the offer would be a vote for the European, mayoral and London assembly elections.

'Illegal'

A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission branded any such sale "illegal".

"We believe that it is unlawful to buy or sell a vote in this way under Section 113 of the Representation of the People's Act."

In his posting on eBay, the man wrote: "I will vote as instructed in elections on 10/6/04 for Mayor of London, Members of London Assembly and MEPs. Borough of Tower Hamlets."

The starting bid was 99p. There had been no bids during its first 48 hours on the website.