Will Tuckley, Chief Executive Officer, introduced the report in his capacity as the  Returning Officer. The report detailed the administrative arrangements put in place by the Returning Officer for the Mayoral and Borough Ward polls, held on Thursday 5th May 2022. The report is an information item only.

In response to the presentation, the Committee noted:

-      A highly successful administered election/s

-      Concerns about campaigning outside polling stations and clarification on any complaints logged.

-      Concerns regarding disproportionate third-party reporting of family figures in Tower Hamlets, when other local authorities had similar numbers.

-      Information had been received of postal votes not arriving on time for some electors to return and this should be looked at and any lessons learnt as to why this was the case.

-      Clarification on the number of poll counting staff and any recruitment issues.

-      Clarification on why poll counting took place at East Wintergardens, rather than the Excel Centre and why observers were not provided water.

-      Clarification on the two wards requiring informal double checking and why this occurred.

Mr. Tuckley said that as long as campaigning outside polling stations did not intimidate constituents, this is a legitimate act. A government bill was quoted by many complainants but was incorrect because the bill was not enacted.

Tower Hamlets worked in conjunction with the Police regarding complaints which were formally logged by both sides. There are no complaints pending. It was agreed that third-party reporting on family voting to Tower Hamlets and appeared prevalent in the figures reported in other local authorities.

The numbers of postal packs not received, although regrettable were minimal. Officers can look into the  number of cases if required. Counting staff were recruited based on the capacity of the venue and numbers of staff withdrawing on polling day at the count was minimal.

The decision to hold the counts at the East Wintergardens was made as it had the capacity to accommodate both polls, it has the best quality accommodation and local services and was a better financial option by some way.

Mr. Tuckley apologised for not providing water to observers and confirmed decisions on re-counts are made at the Returning Officer’s discretion. The informal double checking took place in two wards where there was an estimated small gap between the last elected candidate and the following one listed not elected and this affected two long standing councillors who appeared to be losing their seats. The names of the two wards in question will be submitted to the Committee for information.

Electors/residents were encouraged to vote in the run up to the  election via a comprehensive communications engagement programme linked with the Electoral Commission. The Returning Officer, Electoral Commission and Tower Hamlets Communication team had done a great deal to encourage electoral registration and access to the various voting methods available.

As a result of the controversy over elections in Tower Hamlets in 2014, the Returning Officer had chosen not to take his fees for any local elections, this the case since 2015.

The Chair thanked Mr. Tuckley and the Electoral Services department for their success in conducting the election.

RESOLVED

1.    The names of the two wards which required informal re-counts be submitted to the Committee for information.

2.    The report be noted.