Officials are investigating one candidate in the Darwen Town Council elections after the Lancashire Telegraph told them he was convicted for election fraud four years ago and believed to have been banned from stand-ing in elections. BNP member Robin Evans pleaded guilty in December 2005 to two counts of forging signatures on a nomination paper for the 2004 Earcroft, Darwen, by-election and was prosecuted under the Representation of the People Act 1983. He completed 60 hours of community service and was reported at the time as being banned from standing in elections for five years. Evans, who is nominated for the Sudell ward, insists he is eligible to stand.
Returning officer Graham Burgess said: “This matter was reported to us and we are looking into it.”
He said he did not want to comment further until the final decision had been reached next week as to whether Mr Evans was allowed to stand.
