Voters allege more electoral foul play

8:48am Friday 16th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

New claims of lost postal ballots and alleged electoral fraud have been reported to Barnet Council, following the May 1 elections.

One voter claimed he was denied his vote in Edgware.

Mike Peters said his name had been crossed off the voting register when he arrived at his polling station, indicating he had already voted.

"I was at work when they say I voted, but they wouldn't listen," said Mr Peters, who waited an hour to try to vote before being turned away.

"I was punished, but the perpetrator was allowed to vote, and it's very depressing that someone took my identity and voted on my behalf."

A council spokesman said the allegation was being investigated and would be referred to police if there were concerns a vote may have been cast by someone other than the registered elector.

About a third of the 34,400 residents who applied for postal ballots did not return them, with some voters claiming they did not receive the papers prior to the election.

Jenny Kobish, 63, of Hillside Gardens, applied for her papers in January but did not receive them.

"I have always used my vote as it is my prerogative, but I was denied the opportunity," she said.

"It doesn't reflect very well and I wonder how many people also missed out."

A council spokesman refuted claims papers were not sent out in time and added: "A number of enquiries were made by residents when they had not received their postal votes in the run up to polling day.

"Therefore our electoral services team re-issued papers to voters who attended our offices in person until 5pm on May 1."