Police look into election fraud claims in East End

POLICE are investigating allegations that people are trying to interfere with postal votes in Tower Hamlets. George Galloway s Respect party has contacted the police, Kevan Collins, the returning officer at Tower Hamlets and the Electoral Commission with

POLICE are investigating allegations that people are trying to interfere with postal votes in Tower Hamlets.

George Galloway's Respect party has contacted the police, Kevan Collins, the returning officer at Tower Hamlets and the Electoral Commission with concerns about interference with postal votes.

He claims that some people have been encouraged to sign up for postal votes and will be asked to hand over their ballot papers once they arrive so that others will vote instead of them.

Mr Galloway said: "It seems there is the very strong likelihood that the elections in Tower Hamlets on 6th May will be besmirched by significant voting fraud and corruption courtesy of the postal voting on demand system."

He said he has reports of people signing up voters, especially older people so they will pass on their unfilled ballot papers to be completed by third parties.

The Metropolitan Police's specialist operations branch, which included election fraud and counter terrorist experts is looking into the allegation.