Tensions reach boiling point as elderly man is allegedly assaulted outside an inner-city polling booth

An elderly man has been rushed to hospital after tensions erupted outside a pre-polling booth in Prime Minister’s Anthony Albanese’s electorate. 

Emergency services attended Ashfield Civic Centre in Sydney’s inner-west about 1pm on Wednesday following reports of an alleged assault. 

The man believed to be in his 80s was treated at the scene and taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.

It’s understood the man was wearing a Make America Great Again hat and allegedly became aggressive towards a volunteer offering how-to-vote pamphlets. 

He then allegedly approached a Labor corflute picturing Mr Albanese with intent to deface it, Nine News reported.

He was confronted by a woman before a teenage boy, 17, allegedly crossed the road and struck the man, who fell to the ground.  

The boy arrested at the scene and taken to Burwood Police Station, where he’s assisting police with inquiries.

Police said the pair were not known to each other. 

Police spent much of the afternoon speaking to witnesses and examining the crime scene.  

The Australian Electoral Commission is aware of the incident and confirmed the elderly  man wasn’t an election volunteer. 

‘The incident occurred outside of our polling place and did not involve any AEC staff,’ a spokesperson said.

‘Voting operations are continuing at the pre-poll voting centre in Ashfield.

‘As the matter is being investigated by NSW Police it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’ 

Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers. 

Ashfield is in the federal electorate of Grayndler, which has been held by Mr Albanese for almost three decades.

Wednesday marked the second day of early voting in lead up to the May 3 election.