A LAST-DITCH bid to block controversial plans to scrap traditional ballot boxes for the regional assembly referendum has been launched by MPs.

Charles Hendry, a Tory front-bencher, introduced a Parliament-ary Bill which would not allow all-postal voting on "home rule" for Yorkshire.

The Government wants an all-postal election in the run-up to November 4, the date people will decide if they want a "mini-Parliament".

But the Sussex MP could delay this with his Regional Assemblies' Referendums (Voting Arrange-ments) Bill.

He acted amid concerns that postal voting in last month's local elections resulted in accusations of widespread fraud and vote-rigging.

Mr Hendry also believes postal ballots are undemocratic because people must vote before the final campaign day - stopping them from changing their minds at the last minute.

He handed his Ten-Minute Rule Bill to the House of Commons yesterday.

It has the support of Labour MPs.

He said: "There is a real concern that the Government is only pressing ahead with all-postal voting in the referendums to ensure there is not a derisory level of voting.

"The Government's concern is that a poor turn-out would deprive the proposed assemblies of their democratic legitimacy."

The Bill demanded stronger checks and balances to prevent fraud including:

Individual electoral registration

Handing police additional powers of search and arrest to investigate vote-rigging claims

Creating a new offence of intending to apply fraudulently for a postal vote.

He said: "Without these, universal postal voting will continue to be subjected to widespread abuse and fraud."

A report by the Electoral Commission on last month's experiment to conduct all-postal elections in four regions, including Yorkshire and the Humber, will be published in September.

If people vote "Yes" for an elected regional assembly in Yorkshire, it would be set up in 2006. It would have 25 to 35 members - possibly meeting in York - and control a budget of £500 million.

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, July 15, 2004