Police probe into council elections after allegations of fraud

Police are investigating allegations of fraud at the local elections in Bury.

The Manchester Evening News understands that the investigation follows a complaint regarding the Redvales ward where the deputy leader of Bury council was re-elected earlier this month. Labour councillor Tamoor Tariq held onto his seat at the election on May 2.

He beat Shabaz Shamin, who was standing for George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain, by 193 votes. Campaigners for the Workers Party have told the M.E.N. that they have submitted a complaint to the police regarding the local election held in the Redvales ward.

READ MORE: It was described as a 'big shock' for Labour. But others saw it coming

Greater Manchester Police has confirmed it is investigating a complaint alleges that a member of Coun Tariq's family was working as a polling official at the elections in Bury. The M.E.N. understands the complaint concerns a conflict of interest and allegations of fraud.

Coun Tariq has been contacted for comment. At the time of publication, he had not responded.

Bury's Labour group said it would not be commenting as the investigation is ongoing.

Bury council said police are investigating the complaint. The council said it will act in accordance with the result of the investigation.

A GMP spokesperson said: "Enquiries are still very much in their infancy, there won’t be any updates for a while."

Labour increased its majority at Bury council at the election where a third of the 51 seats were up for grabs. However, there were fears that the council's deputy leader could lose his seat to Mr Shamim who was one of three Workers Party candidates standing in Bury.

Coun Tariq received 1,155 votes in total while Mr Shamim came second with 962 votes. Conservative Party candidate Mazhar Aslam received 410 votes, while the Green Party's Paul Johnstone came fourth with 378 votes and Bury Independents' Mirza Hamie got 184.

Turnout in the Redvales ward was 35 per cent.