Barnet Council Boss Leaves After Poll Blunder

The Barnet Council chief executive is leaving after an election blunder which saw thousands of voters turned away on polling day.

Officials said "following the events during the morning of Thursday's elections" Andrew Travers was leaving "by mutual consent". 

People were asked to "return later if possible" after a mistake meant names were left off voting lists at the 155 polling stations, sparking anger from those who were unable to cast their votes.

Among them was the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who was unable to return to vote because he was travelling to Amsterdam.

Staff at polling stations were told that there had been a "printing error".
he council could face a legal challenge over the results because of the mistake.

London Assembly Conservative Leader Conservative group leader Gareth Bacon has called for a "full explanation" for the "abysmal administrative performance.

The Conservatives narrowly missed out on getting an assembly seat under the list system in an area with a high Jewish population, following the anti-Semitism crisis engulfing Labour.

He said: "The total incompetence of London Elects and Barnet Council in their handling of this ballot has led to serious questions over the Londonwide list result and caused huge delays in the counting process.

"To have voters turned away for any reason is completely unacceptable. The votes that were unable to be cast could very well have altered the result of the Londonwide list allocation."
Women's Equality Party mayor candidate Sophie Walker has registered a complaint with the council and the London Assembly.

Speaking on Thursday, she said: "I am very disappointed. I have spent my morning responding to messages from people upset that they could not vote.

"Women first got the vote 100 years ago and there are women today who have been able to vote."

A council spokesman said: "Following the events during the morning of Thursday's elections, it has been decided, by mutual agreement, that Andrew Travers, chief executive, will leave the council."

Source: Skynews