Dan Peters 01 December 2014

Pickles urged to intervene further in Tower Hamlets

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has been urged to intervene in Tower Hamlets LBC’s arrangements for next year’s General Election.

Andy Erlam, who has launched a petition in court accusing Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman and the council’s acting returning officer John Williams of electoral malpractice and misconduct over the elections in May this year, wants changes in 2015.

Mr Erlam called for Mr Pickles to block the current returning officer and electoral registration officer from officiating next year.

Mr Erlam said: ‘Despite the chaos of last May’s mayoral election and European election counts, current officers blithely appear to have assumed responsibility for next year’s General Election in the borough.

‘Given the gravity of the concerns about how this year’s elections were conducted and overseen by council officers, this is entirely inappropriate.

In a letter to interested parties, Mr Williams said he intended to appoint a much higher ratio of count supervisors to count assistants than this year.

A Tower Hamlets LBC spokesman declined to comment.

The council is understood to be unhappy that the petitioners are giving a running commentary of developments in the media.

Visit The MJ for full coverage of the Tower Hamlets story.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner