Sunday, April 27, 2008

Election Campaigner Charged Over Rigging Bid

Police have charged a political activist with attempting to rig one of Thursday's local elections, according to The Hampshire Daily Echo. John Hall, who has been campaigning for the Meon Valley Conservatives in Whiteley, is accused of applying for a proxy vote without the person's permission. The fiercely-contested Winchester City Council ward was won by the Tories at the last election by tightest of margins, beating the Liberal Democrats by just 19 votes.

The 67-year-old, a former Whiteley parish councillor, is due to appear in court the day after the elections. Police launched an investigation into apparent voting irregularities after a member of the public complained to the council. Hall, of Coriander Way, Whiteley, has been volunteering for the local Tory party, but was not himself standing for election. It is understood he has now been suspended from the party. Hall has been charged with false registration information, false proxy voting application and making a false instrument.