‘Oldham has moved on’ claim

ELECTION 2011:

The peaceful election night was fantastic for Oldham, according to DC Paul Cockburn.

He is the Oldham station’s dedicated elections officer, and said the town had a reputation for being the centre of electoral fraud.

In the past the town has made headlines for postal vote abuse, and allegations of addresses being ‘packed’ with voters applying for svotes.

But he added: “Certainly this year has been quiet and the campaign has gone well with very little complaint.

“I have been very pleased with way all the parties have conducted themselves.”

Agents and candidates had been called to a meeting with Oldham’s police commander Chief Supt Tim Forber, and council chief executive Charlie Parker, before the campaign began, he said, and added: “Oldham has moved on.”