UUP accuses SF of electoral fraud

The Ulster Unionist Party has accused Sinn Fein of intimidating electoral officers to ensure that Michelle Gildernew won the Fermanagh and south Tyrone seat in the last general election.

The defeated Ulster Unionist candidate, James Cooper, has alleged that threats and intimidation by Sinn Fein members led officials to reopen the polling station in Garrison after the deadline for casting votes had passed.

The claims were made in the Belfast High Court, where Mr Cooper has mounted a legal challenge to the election result, which saw Ms Gildernew win the seat by just 53 votes.

The court heard today that the presiding electoral officer in Garrison, John McGovern, was about to close the polling station at around 10.05pm when he was blocked by a Sinn Fein election worker.

Mr McGovern then telephoned the electoral office in Omagh, Co Tyrone, and was told to close the station immediately.

Mr Cooper has alleged that Mr McGovern was so frightened by the Sinn Fein intimidation that his hands were shaking violently and he couldn’t even dial the telephone number.

An RUC officer posted in Garrison also became so concerned about the situation that he telephoned Enniskillen for reinforcements.

In the end, the polling station stayed open for some time and many people were allowed to cast their votes after the 10pm deadline.

Mr Cooper’s lawyer told the court today: "Mr McGovern was in an agitated and fearful state as he announced to the crowd that he was reopening the station.

"Once he had made his way to the station, he began the process of re-issuing the papers to those in the queue. His decision was greeted by shouts and whoops."

The UUP wants the High Court to declare the Fermanagh and south Tyrone election result null and void and to call a by-election to decide who should represent the constituency.