An investigation is set to be launched into London’s most controversial borough after a five-day marathon election count finally came to an end yesterday.
Tower Hamlets council hit the headlines after police officers were positioned outside polling stations across the borough as voters went to the ballot boxes on Thursday.
Local Conservative and Labour politicians claimed to have witnessed heavy-handed tactics and intimidation at stations in the east London borough.
Elections watchdog the Electoral Commission is now leading an investigation into allegations of voter intimidation.
Labour councillors were elected to two final seats in Bromley South, making it the largest party on the council with 20 seats.
The Conservative party also won four seats with the Tower Hamlets First party winning 18 seats, leading to there being no overall control in the council.
The local election count was suspended at 3am on Saturday after the processing of ballots for the borough’s mayoral election, won by incumbent mayor and founder of the Tower Hamlets First party Mr Lutfur Rahman, ran over.
Counting of the final ward’s votes only resumed on Tuesday night after two recounts and delays due to additional security checks.