Tower Hamlets election: man claims postal vote was stolen from flat

 
Electoral fraud trial: Lutfur Rahman (Picture: PA)
Standard Reporter23 February 2015
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A man has told a courtroom his postal vote was stolen when his flat was burgled three days before polling day in the Tower Hamlets elections last year.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told Election Commissioner Richard Mawrey that "numerous people" had knocked on his door in the run-up to the election asking him to vote for Tower Hamlets First - the party led by Mayor Lutfur Rahman.

He said "these people" had offered to "post" his vote for him.

And he said three days before polling day burglars had taken his partially-completed postal ballot after kicking in his door.

He said the ballot had been in an envelope near the flat door.

The man, a Labour supporter, said he had been told that he would be killed if he gave evidence.

And Mr Mawrey agreed to let him give evidence in private.

He allowed journalists to report the man's evidence but said the man could not be identified.

The man had outlined detail of what happened in a written witness statement - which Mr Mawrey said should be provided to reporters.

Four voters have taken legal action against Mr Rahman. They want Election Commissioner Richard Mawrey - who is sitting as a judge at the trial - to declare the result of the May 2014 mayoral election, which saw Mr Rahman elected for a second term, void and order a re-run.

Mr Rahman denies wrongdoing.

The case continues.

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