Judge throws out Paterson election results in residency challenge

A state judge threw out results of the May Paterson Second Ward council race Wednesday, agreeing with incumbent Councilman Aslon Goow’s claim that winner Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman was ineligible to run because he was improperly registered to vote.

FILE / TARIQ ZEHAWI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Superior Court Judge Thomas F. Brogan said he also found “troubling” conflicting accounts during a bench trial last month as to where Akhtaruzzaman’s actually lived during the year prior to the election – Totowa or Paterson. Ultimately, he said, it was beside the point in spite of the fact arguments about his residence consumed a large part of Goow’s case against his opponent.

The discrepancy with his voter registration, which listed him as living at one Paterson address when he was actually living at another Paterson address, was enough to nullify the election, Brogan found.

The judge gave no orders as to what happens now. Haledon attorney Michael DeMarco, representing Goow, said following the ruling the council seat will remain vacant until the City Council appoints an interim council member. A special election to fill the seat will then have to be held at some future time, he said.Northjersey.com

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