Election day mix-up in Epping

112 voters were unable to vote for the candidates they wanted in the Town Council elections on May 7. Early voters at Pelly Court and Allnutts were given ballot papers for candidates in the St John's ward and voters at Epping Hall and the URC had ballot papers for Hemnall candidates. All these papers were regarded as spoilt papers when the count took place.

When the mistake was discovered voters were given ballot papers for the general and district elections only and asked to come back to vote for the town council candidates. For most voters this wasn't possible. Kim Adams, one of the LibDem Town Council candidates in the Hemnall ward, failed to be elected by 14 votes.

When the mistake and the possibility of a re-run of the election was raised with the Returning Officer, Glen Chip, during polling day he said he had to declare a result and it could be challenged only through the courts at a cost of £5000.