Foreign languages are to be banned at vote counts in Tower Hamlets amid fears that the use of Bengali is impeding the democratic process there.
Recommendations published by the Electoral Commission include stepping up the police presence at polling stations in the wake of the fallout over the re-election of the borough's controversial mayor, Lutfur Rahman.
A High Court petition is already challenging that result, which came after the May 22 local elections were marred by allegations of voter intimidation and electoral fraud.
Police are currently investigating at least eight complaints of vote fraud in the borough, where some results took up to five days to be declared after polls closed.
And Communities Secretary Eric Pickles yesterday accused Tower Hamlets of withholding key information from government-appointed inspectors sent in amid concerns over Mr Rahman is favouring Bengali groups when allocating council grants. The mayor initially welcomed the inspection, and has repeatedly denied the allegations over his spending decisions.
The Electoral Commission today warned that action is needed to "restore confidence" in Tower Hamlets vote counts ahead of a crucial Blackwall and Cubitt Town by-election on Thursday after the sudden death of a candidate triggered a postponement to the original ballot.
Jenny Watson, chair of the Commission, said: "We will now use our powers to observe at each polling station during polling day, and will also be present at the count."
But Conservative opposition councillor Peter Golds accused the watchdog of a "failure which cannot be excused" for failing to tackle the problems raised after previous elections in 2012 and 2010 were marred by allegations of postal vote fraud. The police found insufficient evidence to prosecute after the allegations.
The Commission's report highlights, in particular, fears over count staff and other attendees communicating in Bengali at May's elections.
Tower Hamlets returning officer John Williams insisted that "a free and fair election" had been achieved in the borough in May.
