THEY'RE off — the race is on to be first past the post in the May 6 local council elections.
A total of 74 candidates will fight for a third of the council seats across 20 wards.
The three main parties — Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives — will field candidates in every ward.
And for the first time in Oldham, the Respect Party will field hopefuls in Chadderton Central, Chadderton North, Medlock Vale and Royton South.
The party, made famous by “Celebrity Big Brother” contestant George Galloway, vehemently opposes the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and follows a broadly socialist agenda.
The controversial British National Party will field only one candidate in Crompton and right-wingers England First will stand in St James’s.
Former Mayor of Oldham John Battye will attempt to rejoin the council as he fights for a Labour victory in Failsworth West. Eight independent candidates complete the list.
As it stands, the council is made up of 30 Liberal Democrat councillors, 22 Labour, seven Conservatives and one independent. At next month’s elections, the Lib-Dems will fight to keep 10 seats while Labour have eight places to keep hold of.
The Tories will defend only one seat while independent Councillor Asaf Ali will also fight to retain his place.
Labour are bringing back a host of familiar faces as they attempt to regain control of Oldham Council after losing overall power in 2008.
Former councillors Hugh McDonald, Barbara Dawson, Jean Stretton, Phil Harrison, Dilys Fletcher and Joe Fitzpatrick will be on the campaign trail in the hope of getting re-elected.
Four Lib-Dem cabinet members are hoping to secure their place for the next three years.
John McCann will defend his seat in Saddleworth South and Rod Blyth hopes to retain power in Shaw while finance supremo Lynne Thompson fights to keep her seat in Waterhead and Mohib Uddin battles for victory in Coldhurst.
* denotes sitting councillor
| Party | No. of Candidates | No. of Pitches Submitted | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 20 | 20 | 100% |
| Labour | 20 | 20 | 100% |
| Liberal Democrat | 20 | 20 | 100% |
| Independent | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| Respect - The Unity Coalition | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| BNP | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| England First | 1 | 1 | 100% |
1.On election day, go to your local polling station. If you are disabled and will need assistance getting into the polling station, contact the electoral registration office to find out what help is available. If you require assistance in completing the ballot paper, you may take a companion with you when you vote or the staff in the polling station may help you.
2.Tell the staff inside the polling station your name and address so they can check that you are on the electoral register. You can show them your poll card, but you do not need it to vote.
3.The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the parties and candidates you can vote for. It will be printed with an official mark. If you have a visual impairment, you can ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own in secret.
4.Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote. Mark a cross (X) in the box to the right of the name of the party or candidate you want to vote for. Do not write anything else on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
5.Finally, when you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box. Do not let anyone see your vote. If you are not clear on what to do, ask the staff at the polling station to help you.
Electoral Registration Office:
Elections Office
Room 222
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham OL1 1UL
Tel: 0161 770 4712/8
E-mail: election@oldham.gov.uk
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