The latest blow came yesterday, when two top officials resigned amid allegations that ballot fraud had tainted the contract vote in 1996.

Many within the union leveled accusations of ballot fraud, accurately, it turned out.

A state judge threw out the results of last November's mayoral election because of ballot fraud and ordered a new vote in early May.

In a letter to Mr. Levy, she also warned of considerable potential for ballot fraud.

Two men, one who said he was a volunteer for the Suarez campaign, have been arrested and charged with ballot fraud.

The settlement does not reach any conclusions as to whether Ms. Trotta had any role in the alleged ballot fraud.

But now he is also charging ballot fraud, saying that some ballots appear to have been marked by more than one person.

Officials told the Telegraph they will consult opposition parties over any reports on irregularities or ballot fraud.

During several of Mexico's recent elections she has fought ballot fraud as a poll-watcher.

Florida officials arrested 18 people today and were seeking 3 others in a case of widespread ballot fraud that tainted last November's citywide election here.