We have just been informed that a van was stolen overnight which contained the polling station ballot papers for the Hastings & Rye constituency (around. 72 300 ballot papers).
Hastings Borough Council Officials have been in touch with the Electoral Commission and following their guidance, they have put a process into place which will ensure that these ballot papers are not used for fraudulent purposes and cannot be included in the count.
Arrangements have also been made for delivery of further ballot papers.
The Metropolitan Police have advised that there is nothing to suggest that the van was stolen because there were ballot papers inside; it seems that it was a coincidence that the stolen van contained ballot papers.
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