LONDON: Rokhsana Fiaz, a British-Pakistani has become first ever directlyelected mayor of a London borough. Rokhsana Fiaz, who has been a councillorfor Custom House in East London since 2014 won securing 53,214 votes — 73.4per cent.
Around 35.84 per cent of Newham turned out to vote for the councilelections on May 3. Elections in 150 English councils were held on the sameday.
Rokhsana will replace Sir Robin Wales, who was deselected after 16 years inthe post. At his last election, Sir Wales had received 61 per cent of thevotes.
Rokhsana will be incharge of nearly £250 million annual budget for Newham,which is known as one of the most diverse boroughs in western Europe andalso one of the most deprived, not only in Britain but in western Europe.
Most of the residents of the borough trace their roots back to Pakistan,India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and African countries. Fanour Green Street isalso located in the same borough.