Labour is vying to hold on to a council seat after Alistair Strathern vacated it in September to run as an MP
Polls have opened in the Higham Hill by-election today. Polls will close at 10pm, and the result is expected to be announced by midnight.
Residents in the northern Walthamstow ward are electing a councillor to replace Labour’s Alistair Strathern, who resigned in September to fight for a Westminster seat. Strathern was sworn in as MP for Mid-Bedfordshire earlier this week after managing to overturn a significant Conservative majority on 20th October.
Five candidates are fighting to replace Strathern. They are Labour’s Shumon Ali-Rahman, the Green’s Abigail Woodman, the Liberal Democrats’ Alex Lewis, Conservative Moufazzal Bhuiyan, and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition’s Nancy Taaffe.
The current councillors on the ward are Labour’s Kira Lewis and Karen Bellamy.
The by-election is the first in Waltham Forest where residents will be required to present photographic identification when they vote.
The list of acceptable photo ID includes a UK or EU passport, full or provisional driving license, blue badge, biometric immigration cards, PASS cards, an Older person’s bus pass, Freedom pass or Oyster 60+ card. A full list of acceptable forms of identification is available on the Government’s website.
Residents may also bring an expired photo ID if the photo still bears their likeness. Those without any valid photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
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