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Officers on fraud alert at Tower Hamlets mayoral election Officers on fraud alert at Tower Hamlets mayoral election
(35 minutes later)
The east London borough of Tower Hamlets has returned to the polls to elect a new mayor after Lutfur Rahman was removed from office for a systematic abuse of the democratic process.The east London borough of Tower Hamlets has returned to the polls to elect a new mayor after Lutfur Rahman was removed from office for a systematic abuse of the democratic process.
Voters on Thursday were greeted at polling booths by police officers, printed signs warning against fraud, and cordoned-off areas as authorities tried to stop the bullying and ballot paper tampering that marred last year’s election.Voters on Thursday were greeted at polling booths by police officers, printed signs warning against fraud, and cordoned-off areas as authorities tried to stop the bullying and ballot paper tampering that marred last year’s election.
Labour MPs including leadership favourite Andy Burnham visited the borough en masse on Thursday as the party sought to ensure that its candidate, John Biggs, made it into office. Biggs is the bookmakers’ favourite, but is expected to be pushed hard by Sabina Khan, an independent candidate who has been endorsed by Rahman and many of his followers. Labour MPs including leadership favourite Andy Burnham visited the borough en masse on Thursday as the party sought to ensure that its candidate, John Biggs, made it into office. Biggs is the bookmakers’ favourite, but is expected to be pushed hard by Rabina Khan, an independent candidate who has been endorsed by Rahman and many of his followers.
In Biggs’ favour, the borough returned two Labour MPs at the general election. Against him is the belief among some in the Bangladeshi community, which makes up 30% of the population, that Rahman has been deposed by a racist establishment.In Biggs’ favour, the borough returned two Labour MPs at the general election. Against him is the belief among some in the Bangladeshi community, which makes up 30% of the population, that Rahman has been deposed by a racist establishment.
If Khan defies the bookmakers, her election will cause a significant headache for the government. Last year, Eric Pickles imposed outside auditors on the borough after concerns about Rahman’s alleged abuse of council resources.If Khan defies the bookmakers, her election will cause a significant headache for the government. Last year, Eric Pickles imposed outside auditors on the borough after concerns about Rahman’s alleged abuse of council resources.
Related: After the scandal, what next for Tower Hamlets and Lutfur Rahman?Related: After the scandal, what next for Tower Hamlets and Lutfur Rahman?
At polling stations in Whitechapel, sheets of A4 paper have been stuck on walls near polling stations warning voters that they could face a £5,000 fine if they commit fraud. The election court that removed Rahman from office heard that Rahman supporters stood outside polling booths in an effort to intimidate voters into backing them at the last mayoral election. This time, police placed yellow and black tape on the ground near polling stations marking out areas where candidates and their supporters cannot congregate.At polling stations in Whitechapel, sheets of A4 paper have been stuck on walls near polling stations warning voters that they could face a £5,000 fine if they commit fraud. The election court that removed Rahman from office heard that Rahman supporters stood outside polling booths in an effort to intimidate voters into backing them at the last mayoral election. This time, police placed yellow and black tape on the ground near polling stations marking out areas where candidates and their supporters cannot congregate.
Rahman, Britain’s first directly elected Muslim mayor, was found to have committed corrupt and illegal practices during last year’s election. He used vote-rigging, religious bullying of Muslim voters through their imams, and false allegations of racism against Biggs to return to office last year, Richard Mawrey QC ruled in April.Rahman, Britain’s first directly elected Muslim mayor, was found to have committed corrupt and illegal practices during last year’s election. He used vote-rigging, religious bullying of Muslim voters through their imams, and false allegations of racism against Biggs to return to office last year, Richard Mawrey QC ruled in April.
While Khan was not implicated in any claims of electoral fraud, she was one of 18 councillors in Rahman’s Tower Hamlets First party. Mawrey concluded that their election victories had also “been achieved with the benefit of the corrupt and illegal practices”.While Khan was not implicated in any claims of electoral fraud, she was one of 18 councillors in Rahman’s Tower Hamlets First party. Mawrey concluded that their election victories had also “been achieved with the benefit of the corrupt and illegal practices”.
Ten candidates, including the man who took the case to court, are standing in the hope of taking Rahman’s place in the Town Hall. Andy Erlam, who was one of four petitioners who challenged last May’s result, is standing on a Red Flag Anti-Corruption ticket.Ten candidates, including the man who took the case to court, are standing in the hope of taking Rahman’s place in the Town Hall. Andy Erlam, who was one of four petitioners who challenged last May’s result, is standing on a Red Flag Anti-Corruption ticket.
Detectives are examining 16 allegations of electoral malpractice, including the use of “ghost” voters and improper distribution of election literature, the Guardian disclosed on Sunday. Khan has reported Labour supporters for “treating” – giving gifts in exchange for votes – and alleged postal vote fraud.Detectives are examining 16 allegations of electoral malpractice, including the use of “ghost” voters and improper distribution of election literature, the Guardian disclosed on Sunday. Khan has reported Labour supporters for “treating” – giving gifts in exchange for votes – and alleged postal vote fraud.
Labour insiders said they were hoping for a large turnout. “Rahman’s people know how to get out their vote for Khan. Our hopes improve when there are more people voting,” a source said.Labour insiders said they were hoping for a large turnout. “Rahman’s people know how to get out their vote for Khan. Our hopes improve when there are more people voting,” a source said.