THE congestion charge Yes Campaign is being investigated over claims it offered to help voters fill out their ballot papers.

Anti-charge campaigners say a promotional leaflet posted to every household in Greater Manchester breaches referendum guidelines.

The leaflet reads: "You should have received your voting form. If you haven't received it or need any help completing your form, please contact the Yes office." It then gives the number of the Yes Campaign office above that of the official referendum hotline.

Investigating

The Stop the Charge Coalition says the leaflet breaches referendum guidelines drawn up by the vote's returning officer, Sir Neil McIntosh, who is now investigating.

The guidelines forbid campaigners from helping voters complete their ballot papers.

They state: "If asked, it may be acceptable and often helpful for a campaigner to explain the voting process but never acceptable to offer to help anyone actually complete their ballot paper.

'Doubt'

"Any campaigner who is in doubt . . . should ask themselves the question, `What would a reasonable observer think?'."

Dan Hodges, director of the Yes Campaign, said: "We are very, very clear firstly that our people mustn't touch the ballot papers and secondly that any calls we get in relation to assistance or confusion filling out the forms are referred to the returning officer.

"I'm 100 per cent confident there has been absolutely no wrong doing and I'm confident the returning officer will communicate that when the investigation is complete.

"These are the latest hysterical allegations from a campaign that has lost the argument and is becoming increasingly aware it is about to lose the vote."

'Distort'

But a Stop the Charge spokeswoman said the leaflet was `an attempt to distort the democratic process'.

Stockport council leader Dave Goddard, for the Stop the Charge coalition, added: "As this is not a statutory referendum we can't take legal action but we immediately brought this to Sir Neil McIntosh's attention.

"We understand he is in the midst of administering a huge poll, but this process must be beyond reproach.

"The fact that the Yes Campaign's number appears above his number on the leaflet is extremely misleading and seems to suggest they are an official part of the referendum process."

'Suspended'

He said the Yes Campaign phone line should be `suspended immediately'.

Ballot papers for the vote, which closes on December 11, were arriving at homes across Greater Manchester this week.

A spokesman for the returning officer said: "We can confirm that we have received complaints about this particular leaflet which the returning office is looking into as a matter of priority.

"In the meantime, anyone who has not received a ballot pack by November 28 or needs assistance in completing their paper should contact the returning officer's helpline directly on 0800 7839828."