Two potential cases of vote rigging ahead of the March 19 local elections are currently being investigated, according to media reports.

The police have begun an investigation into allegations that the Labour party campaign leader in Soest, near Hilversum, was caught collecting voting cards at a local mosque.

Osman Suna resigned after broadcaster Pownews filmed him asking for voting cards and copies of id papers from people who did not plan to vote.

Proxy

Melle Bakker, general secretary of the voting council, told Nos radio on Wednesday morning: ‘if someone is unable to vote, they can vote by proxy. But it is not up to political parties to take the initiative in this.’

On Wednesday afternoon it emerged that a second attempt at vote rigging is under investigation in Heusden in Noord-Brabant province. Mayor Jan Hamming has made a formal report to the authorities but is not clear which party is involved, broadcaster Nos said.

‘Votes are being collected but we will not say who or which party is involved,’ a spokesman told the Volkskrant.

Hamming also urged people who had been approached about their voting papers to come forward.