THE London Assembly is investigating claims of electoral fraud and voters being unable to get into polling stations during May s general and local elections. Police are already looking at allegations of election fraud in Tower Hamlets with problems repo

THE London Assembly is investigating claims of electoral fraud and voters being unable to get into polling stations during May's general and local elections.

Police are already looking at allegations of election fraud in Tower Hamlets with problems reported over postal votes and concerns about some additions to the electoral roll just before the poll.

The review by the business management and administration committee will report back by May 2011 in time to bring in any improvements before the Greater London Authority elections in 2012.

Assembly member Roger Evans said: "The scenes of angry citizens denied the opportunity to cast their vote outside some London polling stations on May 6 undermined the integrity of our democracy. While politicians are rightly kept at arms length from the organisation of polling day, we do have a duty to ensure that those charged with delivering free and fair elections conduct the poll efficiently and effectively. Our review will identify where mistakes were made or systems failed and recommend action to ensure they cannot be repeated."

The move has been welcomed by Conservative leader on Tower Hamlets council Peter Golds who reported concerns about suspected electoral fraud in the East End to the police.

He said: "I met people who were monitoring the polling stations who were appalled at what was going on."

His concerns include people's access to vote being impeded and issues surrounding the secrecy at the ballot, with some people handing ballot papers to family members.