Why was the election result disputed?

The legitimacy of Stracey's seat in Parliament was challenged due to accusations of bribery and treating of voters. Tillett, the liberal candidate for Norwich, alleged that the liberal party had been leading by a considerable majority of up to 600 early on the day of the election. However, between the hours of 2pm and 4pm there was an influx of large groups of voters who were escorted in groups to polling booths by conservative canvassers, who had either bribed them or treated them with alcohol.