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Row over election result goes to judge
Rob Waugh THE prospect of an election re-run in Hull is set to come a step closer today.
A High Court judge will be asked to order a special election court hearing on a hotly-contested result.
Independent candidate John Considine, who lost his city council seat by only seven votes, is bidding to have the election outcome for Derringham ward ruled illegal.
His case revolves around the council's returning officer mistakenly issuing postal ballot papers for the Marfleet ward to electors in Derringham ward, which was eventually narrowly won by UKIP candidate John Cornforth.
Legal teams representing Mr Considine, the council and Coun Cornforth have reached an agreement on the evidence that will avoid the need for a full trial on the facts.
Instead, High Court judge Mr Justice Grigson will today be asked to order a hearing later in the year at which two judges will decide whether confusion over the election warrants a fresh ballot.
Several more of June's all-postal ballots in Yorkshire are under investigation.
Last night Calderdale Council confirmed that a similar High Court hearing will be held on October 18 after Tories who fought the Park ward submitted a petition claiming the postal experiment was a "total failure".
They allege some votes were being collected from households by a candidate.
A spokesman said: "A directions hearing will be held at which the court will determine if there is sufficient material in the petition to justify a full hearing."
In Bradford's Bowling and Barkerend ward and Sheffield's Central ward police investigations continue after allegations of voting irregularities.
It has been claimed that votes in the Asian commun-ity in Bradford were "harv-ested" by candidates or party workers who picked up signed, blank papers and marked them with crosses. In some cases this happened voluntarily as part of a traditional commun-ity network but in others after intimidation, it is alleged.
rob.waugh@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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