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Barnet polling station 'shambles' as London mayoral election voters turned away in lists blunder Barnet polling station 'shambles' as London mayoral election voters turned away in lists blunder
(35 minutes later)
The London mayoral election started with an “absolute shambles” in one borough as voters were turned away from polling stations given the wrong electoral lists.The London mayoral election started with an “absolute shambles” in one borough as voters were turned away from polling stations given the wrong electoral lists.
Hundreds of residents in Barnet said were told they could not vote without their polling card, while some carrying the document said they were also refused.Hundreds of residents in Barnet said were told they could not vote without their polling card, while some carrying the document said they were also refused.
Arjun Mittra, a Labour councillor for East Finchley ward, said the “logistical nightmare” was unfolding at every one of the borough’s 90 polling stations.Arjun Mittra, a Labour councillor for East Finchley ward, said the “logistical nightmare” was unfolding at every one of the borough’s 90 polling stations.
“Out of the seven people who came to my polling station in the first 10 minutes, only one was able to vote,” he told The Independent.“Out of the seven people who came to my polling station in the first 10 minutes, only one was able to vote,” he told The Independent.
“They were very angry – I had one lady who was crying because she was so upset.“They were very angry – I had one lady who was crying because she was so upset.
“She had come at 7am to vote because she was going away for the day, she said she was disenfranchised. It's a disgrace.”“She had come at 7am to vote because she was going away for the day, she said she was disenfranchised. It's a disgrace.”
For the first half an hour after voting started the majority of voters were turned away, Mr Mittra said, but the rules were later relaxed to allow people carrying polling cards, passports or driving licences as council staff scrambled to print the correct registers.For the first half an hour after voting started the majority of voters were turned away, Mr Mittra said, but the rules were later relaxed to allow people carrying polling cards, passports or driving licences as council staff scrambled to print the correct registers.
An estimated 250,000 people are going to the polls in Barnet to vote for the London Mayor, London Assembly members and council by-election in one ward.An estimated 250,000 people are going to the polls in Barnet to vote for the London Mayor, London Assembly members and council by-election in one ward.
Residents were voicing their anger about the “absolute shambles” on Twitter, with many saying they had registered but were unable to vote.Residents were voicing their anger about the “absolute shambles” on Twitter, with many saying they had registered but were unable to vote.
Some said they were directed to different stations, where voters were reporting long queues and confusion among staff.Some said they were directed to different stations, where voters were reporting long queues and confusion among staff.
“If you live in Barnet you now have an excuse to be even later for work because of broken democracy,” one critic wrote.“If you live in Barnet you now have an excuse to be even later for work because of broken democracy,” one critic wrote.
Christine Ozolins, said she and other residents refused to leave their polling station until they were allowed to vote after being initially turned away because they were not listed.Christine Ozolins, said she and other residents refused to leave their polling station until they were allowed to vote after being initially turned away because they were not listed.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, head of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, was unable to vote after he and his wife were found not to be on the list.
His office said the "disappointed" couple had attended the polling station on their way to the airport, before flying to Amsterdam to spend the weekend with Holland's Jewish community.
The fiasco could have an impact on Conservative hopes in the election, with Barnet electing a Tory London Assembly member at the 2012 election and expected to turn out largely in support of Zac Goldsmith.The fiasco could have an impact on Conservative hopes in the election, with Barnet electing a Tory London Assembly member at the 2012 election and expected to turn out largely in support of Zac Goldsmith.
Mike Freer, the Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, advised people to take their polling cards to vote.Mike Freer, the Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, advised people to take their polling cards to vote.
“They appear to have a problem identifying voters,” he wrote on Twitter.“They appear to have a problem identifying voters,” he wrote on Twitter.
The documents, which contain directions to polling stations and other information, are not officially required to vote.The documents, which contain directions to polling stations and other information, are not officially required to vote.
ID is also unnecessary as staff are meant to cross-check voters’ names and addresses on their electoral lists.ID is also unnecessary as staff are meant to cross-check voters’ names and addresses on their electoral lists.
A spokesperson for Barnet Council told The Independent the authority was aware of the problem.A spokesperson for Barnet Council told The Independent the authority was aware of the problem.
“We are working to resolve this issue and the updated registers have been sent to all the polling stations, which we expect to be in place by 10am," he said. “We are working to resolve this issue and the updated registers have been sent to all the polling stations, which we expect to be in place by 10am," he said. 
"In the meantime, people who have their polling cards with them are able to vote."In the meantime, people who have their polling cards with them are able to vote.
"If people were unable to vote this morning they are being advised to return if possible later before the stations close at 10pm. We apologise for the problems.""If people were unable to vote this morning they are being advised to return if possible later before the stations close at 10pm. We apologise for the problems."
The Electoral Commission said it received reports of the issue shortly after 7am and believed there was a borough-wide problem causing some names to be missed off electoral lists.The Electoral Commission said it received reports of the issue shortly after 7am and believed there was a borough-wide problem causing some names to be missed off electoral lists.
A spokesperson said: "Some polling stations did not have complete registered for people who are eligible to vote. The complete registers are being reprinted, checked, and delivered to each polling station."A spokesperson said: "Some polling stations did not have complete registered for people who are eligible to vote. The complete registers are being reprinted, checked, and delivered to each polling station."
Around 16 million people are eligible to vote in council elections across England today, which also sees voting for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh National Assembly, Northern Ireland Assembly, police and crime commissioners and city mayors.Around 16 million people are eligible to vote in council elections across England today, which also sees voting for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh National Assembly, Northern Ireland Assembly, police and crime commissioners and city mayors.