The decision to reject it was because it was “likely to mislead voters”. The independent election watchdog said that the “reasonable voter could assume that the party represents, or is in some way associated with” the BLM campaign group. Speaking to MailOnline a spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said that the constitution and financial scheme submitted by the planned party were “incomplete”.
They added that the manifesto had not outlined the structure and organisation of the party.
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: “The application to register Black Lives Matter as a political party was refused by the Commission.
“This was on the basis that the proposed name is likely to mislead a voter as to the effect of their vote.
“As part of our considerations, we examined the existing groups by the same or similar names in the UK.
“Having contacted a number of groups, they confirmed that the party was not associated with them.
“Our assessment concluded that whilst the BLM movement is a grassroots movement, it was still likely that the proposed name would mislead a voter as to the effect of their vote.
“This was on the basis that a reasonable voter could assume that the party represents, or is in some way associated with, these groups when that is not the case.
“If a name cannot be accepted, the associated application must be rejected.
JUST IN: Brexit LIVE: Irish MP unveils power grab plot for UK business
When the political party bid was lodged with the Electoral Commission, the main Black Lives Matter UK (BLM UK) group said it had no affiliation with the applicants.
BLM’s UK affiliate denied having any knowledge, connection, or affiliation to the registration until this afternoon.
Speaking to MailOnline a spokesperson said: “We has absolutely no connection, affiliations or other and no individual or group has informed or made us aware of their intentions of forming a political party under the name of Black Lives Matter.
“It is not us.”
In a statement, they added: “Those of all ethnicities and from all nations who believe in racial equality are anti-racists, we stand together, we can choose to kneel together in peace and solidarity asserting black people are treated as equals to white people and are a human right to receive racial equality, social and criminal justice in the societies we live together, as full citizens of the country and as a united nation.
“We are operating as non-political, non-partisan, non-violence Black Lives Matter platform.
“Some content published on this website may have political elements by the nature of a society and state governed under a system of democracy; however we operate in a humanitarian capacity and concern before all else.”
