Postal ballot papers sent out late after potentially costly misspelling

Hackney Town Hall

Postal voting ballot papers for next week’s mayoral election are being sent out four days late because of a spelling error that could prove costly for the council.

The word “Conservative” was reportedly misspelt, though it is not known how.

The blunder means the ballot papers are being dispatched via first class rather than second class delivery.

This could cost the council anything from 18 per cent to 37 per cent more – depending on whether stamps or franking is used.

Hackney Council says that anyone registered to vote by post who is concerned that they will not receive their ballot paper in time, for example if they are going on holiday, should contact the Town Hall and efforts will be made to speed up the process.

Voting will take place on 15 September and there are five candidates standing. They are Philip Glanville (Labour), Amy Gray (Conservative), Samir Jeraj (Green party), Dave Raval (Liberal Democrats) and Dawa Ma (One Love).

This is just the latest in a series of election-related errors in the borough, including the well-publicised problems with a registration system ahead of the 2015 General Election.

Hackney Council failed to register 1,300 eligible residents and left them potentially unable to vote in that poll, an Electoral Commission report later found.

This month’s mayoral election was triggered after long serving Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe left to become Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s planning deputy.

A council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately there has been a delay in postal votes for the mayoral election being sent out, which means voters will receive them around four days later than scheduled. Ballots were sent by first class post on 8 September.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

“We will do everything we can to ensure people can take part in the election and would encourage anyone who is concerned that they will not receive their postal ballot because they will be away to contact the elections team on 020 8356 3232 or electoralservices@hackney.gov.uk.”