More Bradford people than ever have chosen to vote by post in this year's general election - despite concerns the system is open to abuse.

Last year's all-postal vote for the local and European elections led to widespread allegations of ballot-rigging and intimidation.

Nobody was prosecuted although there were several police investigations.

Despite the controversy, the number of people wanting to vote by post this year is up 13 per cent on 2003. Then 39,668 postal voters registered with the authority, this year 44,647 have signed up - an increase of nearly 5,000.

That figure is likely to rise further since postal voters can register up until seven days ahead of the poll itself - expected to take place on May 5. Bradford's elections chief Salman Mather believes the increase may show a growing number of people trust the system, even though the Electoral Commission has recommended all-out postal voting should never be tried again.

Mr Mather said: "The fact that it was convenient was probably the case for a lot of voters."

Despite this increase he said the total number of people on Bradford's electoral register has dropped by two per cent from last year. In 2004, 344,389 were registered to vote in the local elections but 337,222 are currently registered - a drop of more than 7,000. The figure was revealed as the deadline for in-person polling station registration expired.

But the Council's head of democratic services isn't too concerned by the fall, which happened despite an increase in the number of registration forms returned. Mr Mather said: "People are becoming more aware of rolling registration - you can enrol at any time - and so we are seeing this kind of movement throughout the year."

Nevertheless the 2005 general election will see Bradford's biggest-ever voluntary postal ballot being held alongside the traditional polling booth system - which already poses complex organisational problems for his team.

That team of six people handles the day-to-day running of the electoral unit, along with some temporary staff, although its numbers swell to around 1,000 on election day.

But, despite the potential pitfalls, Mr Mather is certain they will get it right. "We are confident we have the procedures in place to detect fraudulent behaviour.

"Every election brings a fresh challenge, and the increase in the number of postal voters will be this year's. Whatever date is called, we have the arrangements to enable an election to go ahead smoothly."