Electoral Commission to see what lessons can be learned from Tower Hamlets

Ballot iStock 000006080605XSmall 146x219The Electoral Commission is to consider the High Court’s judgment last week on the Tower Hamlets election petition and “see whether any lessons can be learned for the future from this case”.

The watchdog said it would examine in particular the recommendations Judge Richard Mawrey QC made to the Law Commission as it reviews electoral law.

Last Thursday the judge ordered that the Tower Hamlets mayoral election be re-run after finding the incumbent, Lutfur Rahman, guilty of corrupt and legal practices.

Four residents of the borough had brought a challenge under the Representation of the People Act 1983, making a series of allegations over the conduct of the election.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said: “As this case makes clear, when fraud is attempted, or committed, it is candidates and their supporters who make those attempts or commit those offences - voters are the victims.

“We welcome that Mr Justice Mawrey made this clear in his statement. Campaigners of all parties need to act in line with the highest standards when communicating with voters.”

The spokesperson added: “We have been working closely with police forces and local returning officers across the country, including in Tower Hamlets, to ensure they have robust plans in place to minimise the risk of fraud at the elections in May.”

The Electoral Commission also set out a package of measures it has taken to protect the integrity of next month’s elections.

In his 200-page ruling Judge Mawrey described the election petition system as “obsolete and unfit for purpose”.

He said the case had thrown up a number of issues that would benefit from the Law Commission’s review.

In a statement issued after the High Court's findings in relation to Rahman and his aide Alibhor Choudhury, Tower Hamlets Council said it had published notices for the elections of an executive mayor and councillor for the Stepney Green ward.

A council spokesperson said: “The election counts will be held on June 11 2015. They will be delivered by John Williams, the council’s acting returning officer, who was cleared of all allegations related to fraudulent practice in the delivery and administration of the 2014 Mayoral elections."

The local authority added that decisions made by the former mayor during his term of office would all stand. "This includes decisions relating to the Mayor’s education awards and key areas of work including housing, education, the environment and health and wellbeing."

It added that the provision of grants to third sector groups would also continue, under the management of the Government appointed Commissioners.

"All services delivered by the council to local residents, schools and businesses will also continue as usual," it said.

Cllr Oliur Rahman, Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for Economic Development (Jobs, Skills and Enterprise), is acting as executive mayor. He will continue in this role until a mayor is elected on June 11.