AN election has taken place at the embattled Lea Bridge Road mosque to choose the new committee of the Waltham Forest Islamic Association (WFIA).

The mosque saw a turnout of nearly 1,600 people at the election, but was boycotted by members of the current committee and their supporters.

The current committee of the WFIA, which controls the mosque, has claimed invitations announcing the election, held yesterday (Sunday), were not sent to all members of the mosque.

But despite the boycott, a result has been announced with the opposition group declared as winners.

Tariq Mahmood, who represents the opposition group, said: “We're very glad. Now we can move forward with the public and make this a peaceful place.”

Those taking part in the election cast votes for the 25 people to become members of the new committee and the opposition group scored an average of 1,390 votes each, Mr Mahmood said.

The outgoing committee of the WFIA, which controls the Lea Bridge Road mosque, has been at odds with the opposition group since 2006.

Both sides have made accusations of violence against each other and the opposition also claims the committee refused to hold elections, saying it was in place “illegally”.

The Charity Commission also carried out an investigation into the purchase of a building using WFIA funds, but the results have not yet been released.

Mediations between the two groups took place with the help of Waltham Forest police earlier this year and an election committee with members from both sides, as well as police and Muslim Arbitration Council representation was appointed.

An election was scheduled for July but it was halted when it was discovered women were not allowed to vote and postponed until August 16.

A third group also put themselves forward as candidates for the new committee, but scored an average of just 70 votes each, Mr Mahmood said.

Speaking for the outgoing committee, Imtiaz Qadir said: "Invitations to the election weren't posted out in time. They should be sent out 14 days before.

"Out of 2,865 people who registered to vote, the actual turn out was about 1,600."

Mr Qadir believes the election was "unfair" and "flawed" and said the result could have been different if the invitations had been sent out on time.

He added that a challenge to the results is likely to be issued in the next few days.

A handover ceremony is due to take place on Thursday (August 20).