Harry Hayfield
Green
Cavalier Gentleman (as in 17th century Cavalier)
Posts: 2,269 
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Post by Harry Hayfield on Apr 28, 2022 9:43:04 GMT
We seem to have an election petition case in Selby. On the list tomorrow: is Honour Judge Saffman (Commissioner) Not before 10am Election Court M372/21 Babington and others v Jessica Kate Cooper and others Trial Representation of The People Act 1983. At Selby District Council Civic Centre, Doncaster Road, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 9FT Church Fenton Parish Council, North Yorkshire Relates to this parish election vote mix-up. So what changed from this: "A total of 993 votes were cast in the Church Fenton Parish Council election, with Joanna Mason elected alongside Stewart Ferris and Jessica Cooper. Ms Mason said: "I think it was plain and simple incompetence rather than an attempt to meddle with the system, so from that point of view it is far less worrying than if it were a deliberate act." She added all the candidates had agreed to let the result stand and not launch a petition to challenge it" to a formal election petition? |
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Post by johnloony on Apr 28, 2022 10:26:49 GMT
We seem to have an election petition case in Selby. On the list tomorrow: is Honour Judge Saffman (Commissioner) Not before 10am Election Court M372/21 Babington and others v Jessica Kate Cooper and others Trial Representation of The People Act 1983. At Selby District Council Civic Centre, Doncaster Road, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 9FT Church Fenton Parish Council, North Yorkshire Relates to this parish election vote mix-up. So what changed from this: "A total of 993 votes were cast in the Church Fenton Parish Council election, with Joanna Mason elected alongside Stewart Ferris and Jessica Cooper. Ms Mason said: "I think it was plain and simple incompetence rather than an attempt to meddle with the system, so from that point of view it is far less worrying than if it were a deliberate act." She added all the candidates had agreed to let the result stand and not launch a petition to challenge it" to a formal election petition? The petition was brought by four electors in the ward (as they allowed to do), not by any of the candidates. |
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ricmk
Lib Dem
Posts: 1,380
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Post by ricmk on Apr 29, 2022 10:01:37 GMT
That judgement doesn't make comfortable reading for the returning officer and Chief Exec of Selby Borough Council.
Yes the overall petition was refused but only because the mistakes could not be seen to put the result in doubt. But the judge had to address poor decisions over spoilt ballot papers, broken seals on list of ballot papers issued, allegations of poor training of staff, a 'laissez-faire' approach and lack of direction to voters (that final point is disputed and probably insignificant.) There's a lengthy discussion about whether all the issues emerging during the investigation should be taken to imply there are more they haven't found.
She initially says she will support the petition, then opposes it, and finally gets costs awarded against the Council. Not a good look in any way. The judgement is only in the Council's favour as the judge is satisfied that the issues wouldn't make up the 15 vote deficit for the losing candidate.
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maxque
Non-Aligned
Posts: 7,080
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Post by maxque on Apr 30, 2022 20:39:34 GMT
That judgement doesn't make comfortable reading for the returning officer and Chief Exec of Selby Borough Council. Yes the overall petition was refused but only because the mistakes could not be seen to put the result in doubt. But the judge had to address poor decisions over spoilt ballot papers, broken seals on list of ballot papers issued, allegations of poor training of staff, a 'laissez-faire' approach and lack of direction to voters (that final point is disputed and probably insignificant.) There's a lengthy discussion about whether all the issues emerging during the investigation should be taken to imply there are more they haven't found. She initially says she will support the petition, then opposes it, and finally gets costs awarded against the Council. Not a good look in any way. The judgement is only in the Council's favour as the judge is satisfied that the issues wouldn't make up the 15 vote deficit for the losing candidate. And given that was determined by looking up the specific votes that were casted by accident (by using their verification numbers), so there was no way for anyone to know in advance the result of the lawsuit. |
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ricmk
Lib Dem
Posts: 1,380
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Post by ricmk on May 24, 2022 3:02:57 GMT
We appear to have missed a petition arising out of the Hartlepool council election last year. Outgoing Independent Union (elected as UKIP) councillor Bob Buchan lost his seat in Fens and Greatham ward to Labour last May by 10 votes. He launched a case alleging false statements by the Labour campaign. The Court ruled that the false statements did not relate to Buchan's personal character or conduct. More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-60176831A quick postscript to this one. Buchan, now with the Conservative nomination, won the seat this month against Elliott in a re-match, although it was still close: Fens and Greatham
Bob Buchan (Conservative) 964 Jennifer Elliott (Labour) 922 Appreciate from the earlier discussion that I'm in a minority here, but as far as I'm concerned there's some justice in that outcome. |
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