EPPING FOREST: Police investigating alleged electoral fraud (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

EPPING FOREST: Police investigating alleged electoral fraud

11:27am Monday 6th September 2010 in

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ESSEX Police have confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into irregularities in this year's general election in the Epping Forest constituency.

The Guardian understands the matter relates to the case of Ramoya Finnimore, 30, of Princes Road, Buckhurst Hill, whose name appeared as an assenter for the English Democrats candidate Kim Sawyer despite her insistence she didn't even know who the party were.

Canvassers for the English Democrats knocked on the door of Mrs Finnimore's husband Peter in April this year and he agreed to sign a form for them nominating Mrs Sawyer as a candidate for the general election.

But, unlike his wife, Mr Finnimore is not on the electoral roll, and when the form was handed in his name had been crossed out and Ramoya's added.

She said: “The police came round and took statements and stuff like that. The policeman showed me where they'd crossed my husband's name out and put mine there. I've even showed the police my signature and it's completely different.”

Mr Finnimore said: “It's ongoing and they said they'd update us on the investigation. I don't see why they should get away with it.”

Last week police visited the Willingale home of the party's chairman Robin Tilbrook to discuss the issue, but he has downplayed the event.

He said: “They came round for a friendly chat, but there was no formal interview which is what you'd get if there was anything wrong.”

Mr Tilbrook said the case had stemmed from a mix-up when the canvasser thought Peter Finnimore and Ramoya Finnimore were the same person.

He said: “What happens is you have a list of names from the electoral register, you knock on a door and you ask whatever person if they're the name on the list. He was asked if he was Ramoya Finnimore and he said yes. He put down Peter Finnimore but the point is people often put down nicknames.

“The whole thing is a storm in a teacup. In fact it's not even a storm.”

A spokeswoman for Essex Police confirmed they were investigating an incident of alleged electoral fraud.

She said: “Police have an ongoing investigation following claims made against the English Democrats Party with regard to the recent election”.