Outrage over election ‘disgrace’

4:50pm Monday 7th July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

VOTING problems during the May elections have been called ‘nothing short of an attack on democracy itself'. The comments, made by Warrington Labour leader Councillor Terry O’Neill, come after plans to hold a scrutiny review into the handling of the local election were announced.

The Electoral Commision is currently investigating complaints raised by councillors and is set to come to Warrington this month as part of its inquiries.

Councillors have received complaints about a wide range of problems voters faced at the polls including polling cards and postal votes not being delivered to voters, poor access and signage at some polling stations and complaints from members of the council, candidates and the public not getting questions answered by officials.

Clr O’Neill, pictured, added: “We were promised that the difficulties experienced in the 2007 elections would not be repeated.

Yet 12 months later we find a total failure on behalf of the returning officer to ensure the efficient administration of the parish and borough elections.”

Complaints have also been made about the votes cast for Fairfield and Howley and Poulton South, which were placed in the same ballot box and were then seperated by council officials.

Clr Paul Kenny said: “The fact that votes cast for two wards were put in the same ballot box and were seperated by council officials unbeknown to candidates, agents or counting agents is simply breathtaking and would not disgrace Robert Mugabe.

“But when this is added to the catalogue of errors then one can only conclude that there has been a systematic failure by the returning officer.”

A council spokesman said: "Every election has different issues and any issues raised about the 2008 elections will be addressed in a review to be undertaken by the council.

"As is the case with all elections, we are reviewing electoral processes and procedures to ensure that lessons are learned and we make it as simple and straightforward as possible for people to turn out and exercise their democratic right to vote.

"We also want to clarify that the returning officer is not subject to an investigation by the Electoral Commission.

"Despite the problems experienced, the number of postal votes cast in Warrington increased from 11,868 in 2007 to 12,626 in 2008, an increase of 6.4 per cent.

"In addition, although turnout across the borough decreased very slightly from 33.4 per cent in 2007 to 32.7per cent in 2008, this is in line with a national trend of declining turnout and remained higher than turnout in some neighbouring local authorities.

"Reviews of council services are often considered for inclusion in a council’s overview and scrutiny committee’s work programme.

"The involvement of the overview and scrutiny committee in this issue will add value in terms of scrutinising the implementation of the review’s recommendations.

"There were no adverse comments from the Electoral Commission following the 2007 elections. There were, however, a small number of localised issues which were addressed and steps taken to ensure that they did not happen again."