Tower Hamlets elections latest: Man arrested on suspicion of postal vote fraud conspiracy #BringBackOurGirls #Entertain9jar via @myentertain9jar

THE clouds surrounding last month’s mayoral elections in Tower Hamlets thickened today following a police raid and the arrest of a man in the east London borough.

POLLS: The elections in Tower Hamlets last month marred by series of allegations[PA]

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement today saying a 24-year-old man had been taken into custody yesterday on "suspcion of conspiracy to defraud in relation to postal vote applications".
He has been bailed until next month, pending further enquiries.
The elections in the borough on May 22 were marred not only by a bitter campaign between the candidates, victorious Lutfur Rahman and Labour's John Biggs, but also by allegations of voter intimidation and malpractice.
Scotland Yard said officers from the Specialist Crime and Operations Directorate have now received a total of 84 complaints of electoral malpractice in Tower Hamlets.
Its statement said: "Following a thorough assessment of all complaints, it has been determined that in the majority of cases there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed.

Two arrests have been made in connection with these ongoing investigations

Metropolitan Police

"A number of complaints received relate to alleged behaviour of campaigners at polling stations in Tower Hamlets on May 22 and these are currently being assessed in conjunction with our partners.
"There was a strong police prescience on polling day with an officer posted to each polling station on the borough."
It added: "There are currently eight investigations ongoing in relation to Tower Hamlets. These refer to one allegation of failing to put a correct imprint on election literature; one of making a false statement about a candidate; four of false declarations on nomination papers; and two relating to postal voting.
"Two arrests have been made in connection with these ongoing investigations.
"On May 13, a 38-year-old man was arrested in Tower Hamlets on suspicion of an offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983 in connection with an allegation of potential false declarations on nomination forms.
"He was taken into custody and subsequently released pending further inquiries. Next due on a date in late June.
"On June 3, a 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud in relation to postal vote applications. He was taken into custody and subsequently bailed to return pending further inquiries. Next due on a date in mid July."

The turnout for the elections for the directly elected mayor on May 22 was exceptionally high at 47.6 per cent.
The incumbent, Lutfur Rahman, who was standing for the Tower Hamlets First party, and Labour’s John Biggs fought a bitter contest characterised by accusations of racism and Islamophobia.
Some have claimed there was an intimidating atmosphere around polling stations, although others on the defeated Labour side concede that would not have affected the overall result.
Mr Rahman won the contest by some 3,200 votes after second preference ballots were counted.
The count itself brought shame on Britain as numerous counting floor rows and delays meant the deadline for the result of the European Parliament elections on Sunday was missed by several hours.

Mr Rahman said on Saturday he had not seen any initimidation, merely a festive atmosphere at polling stations.