Voting on Thursday

I have demanded an investigation into why 270 Hackney residents (over 200 in Hackney South) were unable to vote because of queues. I will be meeting the Returning Office this week to put my concerns to him directly.

I know there were three elections going on but that was hardly a surprise. I saw some slow issuing of ballot papers which certainly contributed to the queues. I am keen to hear of your experiences so I can pass on them on directly. Let me know if you were shut out.

It may be that one part of the solution is to change the law so that if you are in the polling station before 10pm you can still vote – the law currently requires you to be in possession of a ballot paper at 10pm.

The fact that Hackney’s count took longer than the Western Isles which was presumably having to cope with volcanic ash and ferries, is embarrassing for Hackney.

Across the whole of Hackney there were 35,000 postal votes. Thank goodness. Had 35,000 extra tried to vote on the day I might still be at the Town Hall.