Wrong person elected in Cumbria after Returning Officer’s mistake

The Times & Star reports of the Workington Town Council elections:

Mr Johnston, 37, of Ruskin Close, High Harrington, was announced as coming last out of nine candidates in the ward, missing out on one of the six available seats.

But after questions were raised over the weekend, it was found that Mr Johnston had in fact received 690 votes – 85 more than fellow Labour party member Christine Johanssen, who was announced as winner of the sixth seat.

The Moorclose ballot papers had been split between three counting tables but the votes for Mr Johnston counted at one were missed off his total.

Andrew Seekings, returning officer, said: “I apologise to the candidates, election agents and voters for this mistake, which resulted from simple human error and was not picked up during the additional checks made at the count.

“Unfortunately it was discovered too late to do anything as the result had already been called.

“We will be investigating how this could happen to ensure procedures are put in place to prevent it happening again.”