ELECTION 2010: IT NEWS SPECIAL - Electoral chaos as angry voters are turned away from Highbury West polling station

Published: 7 May 2010
by ROISIN GADELRAB

UP TO 40 people who were last night prevented from voting say they are considering mounting a legal challenge against Islington Council after chaotic scenes at Highbury West polling station. 

As the clock struck 10pm, police were asked to clear St John’s Highbury Vale Primary School in Conewood Street, as voters who had crammed into the building were told they would not be given ballot papers.

Voters described how they had returned to the school up to three times to try to vote but were prevented by the queues building up along the playground and through the school gates from 7.30am.

Those who were within the school gates by 9.30pm said they were led to believe that if they were inside the school building by 10pm they would be allowed to vote.

But as they crammed into the school corridor, electoral officers refused to hand over ballot papers.

It is understood the electorate numbers in Highbury West – Islington’s only Green council seat – has increased by up to 1,500 since the last election, as a result of new developments and people moving into the old Arsenal stadium.

Islington North Green Party candidate Emma Dixon, a barrister, who was at the school,  attempted to negotiate a compromise with deputy returning officer Louise Round.

Ms Dixon suggested placing the extra 40 votes in a separate sealed box to be held in case of a close result or if they are needed for legal evidence.

But council chief executive John Foster said there was “no protocol” for such measures and ordered police to clear the building.

Ms Dixon said: “Some voters had tried [to vote] before work but just couldn’t get through. One woman told me she’d come back three times. There were certainly queues all evening. People were very angry indeed. Those people are furious, they’ve been disenfranchised. It’s not because they were late, the queues were there from 7.15am. The responsibility for this 

lies with John Foster.” She added: “People want proportional representation. 

“If there’s a hung parliament and it is introduced then every single vote will count. One or more residents may want to challenge this in the electoral courts.”

Nasser Abadian, 54, an immigration advisor, was one of the voters stuck in the school.

He said: “I’m originally from Iran and this was my first time voting in Britain after 24 years living here, and I was proud to be taking part. 

“But what I experienced was worse than an Iranian election and so badly organised. The atmosphere became very tense and by the time we left there were four police officers in the room. One man was on the verge of tears. 

“Everyone was frustrated and angry and we all exchanged details with a view to seeing whether we can mount a legal challenge.

“Mismanagement by the organisers at Islington Council stopped me voting.”

Mr Foster, who is the borough’s returning officer, said: “Everybody has a right to mount a legal challenge after the result. 

“The procedures we’ve run are the procedures across the country at every election. 

“It’s awful that people turn up to vote and have not been able to. I’m extremely sorry for all the individuals concerned but it’s not a matter of bad practice or unwillingness from myself.”