Electoral Commission to probe Croydon polling station queues (From Croydon Guardian)

Electoral Commission to probe Croydon polling station queues

1:09pm Friday 7th May 2010 in Local Elections 2010 By Matthew Knowles

The Electoral Commission is to investigate why people were left queuing outside polling stations as they closed without being able to vote.

Across the country hundreds were denied the right to vote as polling stations were unable to cope with demand.

Croydon Council Labour leader Tony Newman said his party members had gone into polling stations to beg potential voters be allowed to exercise their democratic right, but hundreds look like they have missed out this year.

Coun Newman said: " Democracy has been let down."

Barrow Road polling station in the potentially key Waddon ward has reported particularly long queues.

An Electoral Commission statement reads: "It is a cause for serious concern that many people who wanted to vote were unable to do so by 10pm when polls closed.

"Each Returning Officer is responsible for deciding numbers of polling stations in their constituency and the numbers of electors allocated to each polling station.

"By law, polls must close at 10pm and any voter issued with a ballot paper by 10pm should be allowed time to cast it, but no ballot paper should be issued after 10pm.

"There should have been sufficient resources allocated to ensure that everyone who wished to vote was able to do so.

"The Electoral Commission will be undertaking a thorough review of what has happened in those constituencies where people have been unable to vote."

Were you able to vote? Let us know if you were shut out at newsdesk@croydonguardian.co.uk