Barnet council chief Andrew Travers leaves after elections blunder

An investigation was launched after it emerged that thousands of names were missing from electoral lists

Voters in the borough of Barnet encountered problems when they were turned away from polling stations given incomplete electoral lists (Getty)

The chief executive of Barnet council has stood down after a blunder left many residents in the area unable to vote in the local and mayoral elections in London.

An investigation was launched after it emerged that thousands of names were missing from electoral lists at all of the north London authority's 155 polling stations on Thursday. The probe will examine how many of the 236,196 voters were affected.

Andrew Travers, the council’s chief executive, is now leaving by “mutual agreement” following the incident which residents branded an “absolute shambles”.

A council spokesman said: “Following the events during the morning of Thursday's elections, it has been decided, by mutual agreement, that Andrew Travers, chief executive, will leave the council.”

“The review will conclude by the end of May and the findings will be presented publicly to the general functions committee.”

The council also said it will assess the “appropriateness of the arrangements” in place for the June 23 referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.

Mr Travers, who was in post for three and half years, said: "I have enjoyed my time at Barnet and I believe the changes we have put in place and the continued programme of growth and transformation will enable the borough to continue to thrive."

Deputy chief executive John Hooton will take over while a new council boss is found.

“Andrew has overseen Barnet Council during a significant period of challenge and opportunity, delivering changes to services to ensure we get the best value for the taxpayer and securing the council's financial position. He leaves with my thanks and best wishes,” said Barnet council leader Richard Cornelius.

Arjun Mittra, a Labour councillor for East Finchley ward, said last week that the “logistical nightmare” affected every one of the borough’s 155 polling stations. “Out of the seven people who came to my polling station in the first 10 minutes, only one was able to vote.”

He added: “They were very angry – I had one lady who was crying because she was so upset.

“She had come at 7am to vote because she was going away for the day, she said she was disenfranchised. It's a disgrace.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, head of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, was also unable to vote after he and his wife were found not to be on the list. His office said the "disappointed" couple had attended the polling station on their way to the airport, before flying to Amsterdam to spend the weekend with Holland's Jewish community.

Additional reporting by Press Association