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Tower Hamlets count to restart after two suspensions Tower Hamlets count probed by Electoral Commission
(about 5 hours later)
Vote counting for the local election in east London's Tower Hamlets borough, which has been suspended twice, is to resume for a third time at 18:30 BST. The Electoral Commission is to launch an investigation into vote counting for the local election in east London's Tower Hamlets borough.
The council has attributed the delay to the mayoral and European elections being held together, a large turnout and re-counts. Counting has been suspended twice and is due to resume for a third time at 18:30 BST.
The Electoral Commission said it was aware of reports of intimidation at counts and polling stations. The commission said it would be "looking closely" at the count.
A spokeswoman said officials were "looking closely" at the count. The borough council has attributed the delay to the mayoral and European elections being held together, a large turnout and recounts.
The Met said it had had "no major incidents" reported. An officer was stationed at each polling station on Thursday. 'Free from intimidation'
Politicians said they witnessed crowds shouting at people as they arrived to cast their votes and they claimed that leaflets were left in booths to influence voters. The review comes after the commission said it was aware of reports of intimidation at counts and polling stations.
The Electoral Commission said it was too early to say what issues at the count were but stressed people should be able to vote "free from intimidation".
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "Clearly there have been issues at the Tower Hamlets count and we need to make sure we understand what happened, and the reasons for it, before reaching any conclusions.
"As part of our review, we will be talking to the returning officer and regional returning officer.
"We will be looking closely at what happened during the count, as well as the planning that took place beforehand."
Politicians said they witnessed crowds shouting at people as they arrived to cast their votes and they claimed leaflets were left in booths to influence voters.
Labour Mile End councillor Rachael Saunders told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is a real worry from a lot of people that the police committed there would only be two people per party allowed to be outside the polling stations.Labour Mile End councillor Rachael Saunders told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is a real worry from a lot of people that the police committed there would only be two people per party allowed to be outside the polling stations.
"But in fact there were huge crowds at some, shouting at people or encouraging them to vote in a particular way.""But in fact there were huge crowds at some, shouting at people or encouraging them to vote in a particular way."
She added that presiding officers should have ensured leaflets were removed from booths but failed to do so.She added that presiding officers should have ensured leaflets were removed from booths but failed to do so.
Leader of the Conservative group Peter Golds said: "They were picking on certain residents and going up to them trying to persuade them to vote right up to the moment they entered the room to vote."Leader of the Conservative group Peter Golds said: "They were picking on certain residents and going up to them trying to persuade them to vote right up to the moment they entered the room to vote."
'Out of hours' count The Met said it had had "no major incidents" reported.
The council said it had in place the most stringent set of measures and that parties had used their right to request that the ballot papers be individually adjudicated by the returning officer. Acting Supt Helen Lewis, of Tower Hamlets borough police, urged anyone who may have witnessed behaviour that could amount to criminal activity to come forward.
She said: "Although we have received no allegations of harassment, intimidation or fraudulent behaviour at polling stations, we would, of course, be keen to speak with anyone who has concerns."
'Out-of-hours' count
The council is having to complete the count "out of hours" because of staffing issues, a spokesman said.The council is having to complete the count "out of hours" because of staffing issues, a spokesman said.
Counting was first suspended by the returning officer because of the delay processing votes for the borough's mayoral election.Counting was first suspended by the returning officer because of the delay processing votes for the borough's mayoral election.
It was suspended again on Monday. It was suspended again on Monday. It is five days since votes were cast.
It is five days since votes were cast. The Bromley South ward ballots will be recounted later and could decide overall control of the council chamber, an authority spokesman said.
The Bromley South ward ballots will be re-counted later and could decide overall control of the council chamber, a council spokesman said. When counting was last suspended, Tower Hamlets First - which was backing re-elected mayor Lutfur Rahman - and Labour had 18 seats each.
When counting was last suspended Tower Hamlets First - backing re-elected mayor Lutfur Rahman - and Labour had 18 seats each.
Four Conservatives had been elected.Four Conservatives had been elected.