THE result of the local elections in Walthamstow's High Street ward is to be challenged by the Liberal Democrat Group.

As previously reported by the Guardian, three Labour councillors were elected in the ward following the May 6 election.

But the Office of National Statistics discovered a "possible error" in the counting of votes, which may have seen 1,000 extra votes counted for Labour.

Liberal Democrat Group leader Bob Sullivan said they are looking into presenting a petition to the High Court, to challenge the result.

This is the only way a recount can be held.

Cllr Sullivan said: "If a mistake at the count led to the wrong councillor being elected it is a very alarming error.

"The Liberal Democrats are consulting solicitors with experience in this area with a view to challenging the result.

"It is vital that residents can have confidence in the integrity of the local democratic process."

The electorate had three votes and returning officer and chief executive of Waltham Forest Council, Andrew Kilburn, admits the block votes - which is voters casting all three of their votes for one party - for the Labour Party candidates in High Street Ward may have been incorrectly logged as 2,451 votes instead of 1,451.

The votes for elected Labour councillors were recorded as follows: Liaquat Ali (3,322), Clare Coghill (3,185) and Steve Terry (2,932).

But their actual votes could have been 1,000 less each, meaning votes cast for Liberal Democrat Mahmood Hussain (2,043) would have exceeded Steve Terry's by 111 votes.

There are just three days left in which to present a petition to the High Court.

Mr Kilburn said checks were made which showed there were no errors in any other ward count.

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