There is “insufficient” evidence to prosecute anyone over claims that “forged signatures” were used on nomination papers for a Sinn Fein election candidate, the Public Prosecution Service has said.
It follows complaints about a form for Gerard Magee, who unsuccessfully stood for election to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
It was alleged that fake signatures were used on nomination papers.
The allegations were raised in Parliament by DUP MP Jim Shannon, who said that a man listed as one of the proposers of Mr Magee “was the victim of identity fraud”.
Speaking in Parliament on April 27 last year, Mr Shannon said: “When nominations closed for the Northern Ireland local government elections, I became aware that a man listed as one of the proposers of Gerard Magee in Ballyclare was the victim of identity fraud by Sinn Fein.
“The victim met the chief executive officer of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, and established that his identity had been stolen; he was fraudulently listed as a proposer on the nomination papers of Sinn Fein’s Gerard Magee, and this purportedly included the act of forging the victim’s signature on official nomination papers.
“For clarity, the victim does not know Gerard Magee and did not sign his nomination papers.”
The allegations were raised in Parliament by Jim Shannon
Sinn Fein previously said its nomination papers “were submitted in full compliance” with the rules.
Last April the PSNI sent a file reporting three people – none of whom were Mr Magee – to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
The BBC has now reported that no prosecutions will be taken.
It reported the PPS had said the file reported one person “in relation to allegations that forged signatures were used on a nomination paper”.
The file also reported two others “in relation to allegations that they had falsely made a report to police in connection with the matter”.
A PPS spokesperson told the BBC that, in relation to all three, “it was determined that the available evidence was insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction”.
“All decision-making on this file was undertaken independently, impartially and in line with the Code for Prosecutors,” she added.
“All parties have been informed of the outcome of the consideration.”
Mr Magee missed out on a seat after receiving just 86 first preference votes in the May 2023 election.
Sinn Fein and Mr Magee have been for comment.
Previously, Sinn Fein told the BBC its nominations for the Ballyclare area “were submitted in full compliance with the Electoral Office rules”.