Tower Hamlets election: 16 malpractice allegations investigated by police

The electorate in Tower Hamlets go to the polls on Thursday

Officers are investigating 16 allegations of electoral malpractice in relation to this Thursday's Tower Hamlets election, police have said.

The Met is assessing the harvesting of postal votes in the east London borough and improper distribution of election literature, according to The Guardian.

The poll was called after mayor Lutfur Rahman was convicted of electoral fraud and removed from office in April.

Mr Rahman has been banned from standing again.

The new mayoral election is being held after Lutfur Rahman was found guilty of electoral fraud

One of his aides, Alibor Choudhury, who was the councillor for the Stepney ward, was also found guilty of corrupt and illegal practices and ordered to vacate his seat in April.

Voters in the that ward will also be voting for a new councillor.

A Met Police spokesman said: "We are assessing 16 allegations of electoral malpractice, relating to the upcoming election on 11 June."

The full list of Tower Hamlets mayoral candidates is:

• Elaine Bagshaw, Liberal Democrats

• John Biggs, Labour Party

• Andy Erlam, Red Flag - Anti Corruption

• John Foster, Green Party

• Peter Golds, Conservative Party

• Vanessa Helen Hudson, Animal Welfare Party

• Hafiz Abdul Kadir, Independent

• Rabina Khan, Independent

• Nicholas McQueen, UKIP

• Md. Motiur Rahman Nanu, Independent