An Atlantic City Council candidate filed criminal election-interference complaints against her former opponent Friday, according to a press release.
Republican Maria Lacca accused Muhammed “Anjum” Zia of approaching a voter, telling them to sign their mail-in ballot, and taking the blank ballot from the voter. Lacca, who is running to represent the 5th Ward, said she reported the alleged behavior to the FBI, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, and state and local law enforcement authorities.
Zia did not immediately return a request for comment.
Zia, a Democrat, defeated Lacca by 45 votes in the 2023 general election. But Lacca contested Zia’s residency, and a judge removed Zia from the council in August, finding he lived with his family in Egg Harbor Township.
The special election to replace Zia has since been set for Nov. 5. Republicans renominated Lacca, while Mohammed Mominul Huq earned the Democratic nod.
Lacca wrote that when Zia approached the voter, he claimed to be the Democratic nominee for the council seat. The Republican said she submitted testimony from the voter to law enforcement.
“Our community deserves transparency and accountability, especially during such a critical election,” Lacca said in the release. “We must ensure that every voter exercises their rights freely and without intimidation.”