Residents on the Isle of Wight campaigning for an elected mayor have had their petition turned down. Islanders needed 5,288 signatures to secure a referendum. A 5,891-strong petition was handed to council officials on Wednesday.
When scrutinised 1,457 signatures were disallowed for not being on the electoral register, and 34 excluded because signatures were not legible.
A further 3,331 were disqualified because complete names were not used.
 | Reasons signatures disallowed 3,331 complete names not used 1,457 not on electoral register 34 not legible 40 not signed 5 duplications |
The Isle of Wight Council received the petition on 14 October.
The standards committee started the process of verifying the signatures, and has only recognised 1,024 entries as valid.
This is an insufficient number of signatures to automatically trigger a referendum.
Returning Officer Mike Fisher said: "In considering whether the council wishes to call a referendum, we will consider the results of the petition and assess the extent to which support has been expressed for a referendum.
"I am required to report on the petition to the office of the deputy prime minister and to insert an advert in the local press."
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