Ballot paper misprint leads to votes being discounted in Oldham ward

Polling Station

The issue involved Shaw ward candidates reportedly being printed on some Waterhead ballot papers.

It is believed that election officials identified the problem on Thursday evening after polling stations had closed.

Oldham Council confirmed an investigation is now underway to establish how many ballot papers were affected and whether the result could be impacted.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: “We are aware of an issue affecting some ballot papers in the Waterhead ward.

“An investigation is underway to determine the extent.”

The authority has not yet confirmed the total number of affected ballots.

Under election rules, if the final result is close enough for the number of discounted votes to affect the outcome, a re run of the election could be required.

No further details have yet been released about how the misprint occurred or whether additional wards were affected.