CHRISTCHURCH MP Chris Chope has been ordered to amend a campaign leaflet encouraging people to vote no in the council merger referendum.

Christchurch Borough Council was made aware of a leaflet in circulation titled 'Six good reasons to vote no'.

The leaflet did not include an imprint identifying who it was produced by, which is a breach of Electoral Commission regulations.

The regulations say the name and address of the printer, the promoter and any person whom the material is being published for who is not the promoter must be stated on the campaign material.

The leaflet was reportedly distributed to the public in Christchurch town centre.

However, the Daily Echo understands the council has asked Mr Chope to amend the campaign material to include an imprint.

David McIntosh, chief executive of Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “In order to maintain the integrity of the local poll we are asking anyone distributing campaign literature, including social media videos and posts, in support of either the yes or no vote to include an imprint stating who is responsible for the material.

“We are aware of a leaflet being circulated entitled ‘Six good reasons to vote no’ which does not identify who produced it.

"We have contacted the individual we believe is responsible for producing this leaflet to ask them to amend it to include an imprint and we have also sent them a copy of the local poll Code of Practice.

"Currently we are not aware of any other campaign material that does not contain an imprint.”

The postal ballot asking Christchurch residents whether they are in favour of the proposed merger with Bournemouth and Poole to form one unitary authority closes on Thursday December 14.

Votes must be returned to the Civic Offices on Bridge Street by 5pm.