A DISPUTED election to choose the new management committee of the troubled Lea Bridge Road mosque was 'conducted properly' according to the Charity Commission.
The wrangle over the election, held on August 16, is the latest in a series of disputes over control of the Waltham Forest Islamic Association (WFIA).
The WFIA manages the mosque and its outgoing committee has claimed an election apparently won by an opposition group was 'unfair' as not everyone who registered to vote received an invitation.
Both groups have made accusations of violence and corruption against one another and have been locked in a bitter power struggle since 2006.
Elections to choose the new committee were finally called this summer after months of mediation through Waltham Forest police.
But the outgoing committee has vowed to challenge the result and has said it will even take the matter to court.
However, in a statement released today, the Charity Commission confirmed it believed the elections were fair.
A spokeswoman said: “Following the election the Commission has updated its records and the public register of Charities now shows those who were elected on 16 August 2009 as the trustees of Waltham Forest Islamic Association.
“We are aware that it has been reported that there will be a court hearing to determine whether the newly elected trustees should have been allowed to take office.
“This type of legal action is known as Charity Proceedings and the Charities Act 1993 provides that Charity Proceedings can only be pursued if they are authorised by the Commission.”
She also stated that the requirement for permission was intended to keep charity funds from being wasted on litigation.
The spokeswoman added: “The Commission can confirm that, to date, we have not received an application to authorise charity proceedings in connection with Waltham Forest Islamic Association.
“If an application is received the Commission will consider the matter carefully and there is no forgone conclusion that such an application will be granted.”
Imtiaz Qadir, representing the outgoing committee, confirmed that solicitors are in the process of preparing an application for 'Charity Proceedings' to be sent within a week.
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