Got the list of candidates returning officer
Tower Hamlets Council 7. May 2026
Election for Councillors and Mayor of Tower Hamlets.
Here is a polling station locator on the Council website, which you can use to find your polling station. It is also printed on your polling card but if you lost your polling card you still can vote, if you go to your station with picture ID. See our website for details what ID is accepted. Postal ballots can be handed in tomorrow in case you did not send them off.
Safety for candidates
The Crown Prosecution Services issues guidance for persons in public life.
We recommend candidates only operate in a minimum of two people or small groups to stay safe together.
All important guidelines for the local elections are published on the Council website.
Voter ID
You need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in England.
You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, not a photocopy.
International travel
- A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
- A passport or passport card issued by an EEA state (Opens in new window), or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens
Driving and Parking
- A photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- A Blue Badge
Local travel
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- a National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government issued documents
- Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) (you can only use this ID at elections taking place on or after 1 May 2025)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate – free to apply
- Anonymous Elector’s Document
Digital ID
- Veterans’ card
- e-visa
Please do go and vote. We think, with the latest policing changes, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets or a committee of selected councillors will be responsible for Policing in this borough.
We will add to this post as information becomes available.
Election Fraud
An important part of this process is the problem with Election Fraud. Tower Hamlets has been in the public limelight about this issue in the past.
A stark warning was issued claiming ” Husbands could be jailed for telling wives how to vote in local elections on May 7″, watchdog warns
You can report via the Council or the Police directly, even anonymously.
Alternatively you can contact the police directly by email SETElections@met.police.uk, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 who will pass the information on to Tower Hamlets Police.
