One parent has highlighted the higher number of schools closed on election day in the east of the borough compared to the west, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

A Tottenham resident has raised concerns over the number of schools due to be closed on election day – with the east of the borough most affected.

Lee Vilinsky said the school used by his family, Harris Primary Academy Coleraine Park, is one of the eleven schools due to be used as a polling station on Thursday (4th) in the Tottenham constituency.

Schools used as polling stations are given the choice to either close or remain open on election day.

But Lee added that Harris Academy was also closed back in May for the mayoral elections and believes it is affecting his child’s education.

Arguing that the closures meant children missed a day of education, and parents were forced to pay for private childcare or relinquish a day of annual leave from their jobs, Lee said this process caused a “large amount of disruption” for parents.

In response, Haringey Council has said the larger population in the east meant that more polling stations were needed, resulting in the use of more schools.

While eight schools are due to be used as polling stations in the Hornsey and Friern Barnet constiruency, eleven are being used in Tottenham.

A council spokesperson said: “When choosing venues for polling stations, we avoid schools wherever possible if other suitable buildings are available.

“We appreciate that school closures impact parents and children and we will always seek to keep any disruption to a minimum.

“There are twice as many polling stations in the east of the borough due to a larger population compared to the west, resulting in more schools being used as polling places in that part of Haringey.

“When selecting these locations, the council conducts a public consultation, allowing residents to participate and suggest alternative solutions. Based on this feedback, the council designates the appropriate polling stations.”

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