Ealing Council cancels Iranian election polling station at Perceval House

Ealing Council has told the Iranian Embassy in London that it would no longer be able to host a polling station at Perceval House for the Iranian presidential election taking place today after it was made aware of “growing concerns from some of our communities with protests being planned”.

Four candidates are looking to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last month (19 May 2024).

In a statement issued yesterday (27 June 2024), an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We have informed the Iranian Embassy this morning that we are no longer able to host a polling station at Perceval House for the Iranian presidential election which takes place tomorrow. This is due to us being made aware in the last 12 hours of growing concerns from some of our communities, with protests being planned for tomorrow at Perceval House on a significant scale.”

“We take community concerns and the safety of our residents and staff very seriously and have therefore had to review this booking.

“We are currently in the middle of significant preparations on the Perceval House site, where votes in three parliamentary constituencies will be counted on 4 and 5 July. We are working to a very tight schedule to ensure the necessary arrangements are put in place which meet all health and safety requirements to ensure the smooth running of the UK General Election.

“Any disruption to our ability to access Perceval House at this critical time would put our schedule in jeopardy, which we cannot risk.

“We understand there are four other polling stations in London for the Iranian presidential election and will be advising anyone coming to Perceval House tomorrow expecting to be able to vote, to contact the Iranian embassy for further information about how to do this.”

Following news of the cancelling of the polling station, Hanwell Broadway Councillor Monica Hamidi, who is also Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wokingham posted on X: “Thank you @EalingCouncil for making the right decision to cancel hosting the Iranian Presidential polling station. These elections are a scam, no change will come while the fascist regime still controls the system. We shouldn’t help cover up murder and dictatorship.”