Five people have been arrested on suspicion of fraud offences relating to a local election in Greater Manchester.
The five people, four men and a woman aged between 23 and 47, were arrested at addresses in Tameside this morning.
All five of them currently remain in custody, Greater Manchester Police said.
A spokesman for the force said it received reports surrounding concerns about candidates within St Peter's ward in Ashton-under-Lyne in the days up to and following the election on May 7.
A spokesman for GMP said: "This morning, officers in Tameside arrested five people on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud as part of an investigation into alleged offences committed leading up to the local elections.
"In the days leading up to and following the election on May 7, we received reports surrounding concerns about candidates within the St Peter’s ward.
"Following initial enquiries last week, we have launched a full investigation into the allegations.
"The work is specifically investigating the process of how candidates were put forward and represented in the ward, and if this adhered to the relevant legislation and electoral procedures."
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The arrests have been made this morning
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The spokesman continued: "The five people, four men and a woman aged between 23 and 47, were arrested at addresses in Tameside this morning.
"They remain in custody for questioning.
"We are working closely with the Electoral Commission and local partners as part of our enquiries.
"We will provide further updates as we progress our investigation further."