Local elections candidate found guilty of electoral fraud

A candidate who ran for a seat on Hyndburn Borough Council in May 2022 was found guilty earlier this month of electoral fraud after a jury concluded his nomination paper included a false signature.

Mohammed Navid Afzal, 41, of Whalley Road, Accrington, stood trial for the offence at Preston Crown Court.

Afzal, who ran for the Conservative party in the 2022 elections, lost to the Labour candidate for Netherton ward after winning 28% of the vote.

He was later accused of electoral fraud when it was suggested that one of the ten signatures required for the nomination paper was false and that Afzal knew it was false when he submitted it.

A candidate must submit a nomination paper to the council in order to run in the local elections.

Hyndburn’s guidance for prospective candidates says the document must be signed by ten people from the ward to be valid.

After a five-day trial, the jury found Afzal guilty of using a corrupt practice in securing nominations to be eligible to stand for election under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

He will be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on 21 June.

Commenting on the verdict, Det Con Nicolas Walker of Blackburn CID, said: “It is vital during elections that democracy is protected.

“Lancashire Police will thoroughly investigate any claims of wrongdoing in the election process.”

Shirlie Duckworth of Lincoln House Chambers prosecuted Afzal.

Despite the case against him, Afzal ran as an independent candidate in the 2023 and 2024 local elections, winning 38 votes in the 2024 and 24 votes in 2023.

Adam Carey