Polling allegations to be investigated

8:35am Friday 4th July 2008

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Problems at the polls during this year's London elections will be investigated as part of a review of the election process.

The London Assembly's elections review committee will look into reasons why ballot papers arrived late to five polling stations in Mill Hill and investigate claims that some residents were unable to vote for up to an hour at one location in Friern Barnet.

The committee's chairman, Barnet councillor Brian Coleman, said: "The late opening of a polling station is unacceptable in this day and age.

"There do seem to have been some serious allegations made, but we will listen to the evidence before making an assessment."

Barnet Council's chief executive Leo Boland was returning officer for the Barnet and Camden count on May 1, and has been invited to appear at a review on July 17 at City Hall.

The review will also investigate a claim made by the Open Rights Group (ORG) that problems with the counting technology could have resulted in up to 41,000 ballot papers being unaccounted for.

The committee will question those involved in administering the vote and count, including constituency returning officers and Indra, the contractor responsible for electronic counting.

Mr Coleman added: "The charge that voters have been denied their constitutional right is very serious and one which must be backed up by firm evidence.

"If there have been problems in the conduct of the poll we will not hesitate to make firm recommendations to ensure voters in London can have confidence in the electoral process in the future."

A Barnet Council spokesman said: "The council welcomes the work of the GLA Election Review Committee.

"Only by sharing the positive and negative outcomes of such a large operation can lessons be learnt that will enhance the future management of the election process."