Coincidence? Amid anti-Semitism scandal, UK Jews unable to vote
May 5, 2016Battered by an ongoing anti-Semitism scandal, the UK Labour Party is bracing itself for a rout in today’s local elections across the country, including a vote for the powerful Mayor of London position.
But the party’s hopes will be buoyed somewhat by a rather odd coincidence. Scores of voters throughout the London Borough of Barnet – where much of the British Jewish community is concentrated – have been prevented from voting by an unexplained “error” at local polling stations.
Arutz Sheva has heard testimony from scores of Jewish voters prevented from casting their ballots, after being told that due to “incorrect voter lists” being given to the voting stations, they could not vote unless they had brought with their voting cards. In the UK, bringing your voting card is not necessary to cast your vote, so most people do not take them with on election day.
As a result, many have been prevented from voting altogether, as returning home and searching for voting cards is not an option for busy commuters on their way to work.
Among those affected were none other than UK Chief Rabbi Efraim Mirvis and his wife, who confirmed to the Jewish Chronicle that they too had been turned away and advised to return later in the day with their voting cards.
However, a representative of Rabbi Mirvis’s office told the Chronicle that would not be possible, as he was on his way to greet Dutch Jewish leaders at an airport outside of London.
The Chief Rabbi was said to be “disappointed” after being prevented from voting.
Voters are advised to bring their cards with them to avoid being turned away. Polls close at 10 p.m.
Many furious Jewish voters took to social media to vent their frustration, with some stating that because they will only return home late in the evening they will not be able to vote at all.
In a statement Barnet Council said it is “aware of problems with our electoral registration lists this morning at polling stations in Barnet which have meant that a number of people who had not brought their polling card with them were unable to vote.
“We are working to resolve this issue and the updated registers have been sent to all the polling stations, which we expect to be in place by 10am. In the meantime, people who have their polling cards with them are able to vote.
“We are advising residents to bring their polling cards. If people were unable to vote this morning they are being advised to return if possible later before the stations close at 10pm. We apologise for the problems.”
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