Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council issued its Notice of Election yesterday (28th March, 2022) to set the clock ticking towards polling day on 5th May. (read full Notice here).
Nineteen of the twenty wards in the Borough will see candidates fight for one seat. In Medlock Vale, two seats will be contested following the shock resignation of the Conservative Party councillor, Sahr Abid (read more here).
The ruling Labour Party currently hold twelve of the twenty one seats, including Chadderton South where the Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, faces a fight to hold onto that position in the face of a sustained and unpleasant attack by a controversial Tameside conspiracy theorist, Raja Miah (read more here). Her main opponent, the Conservatives’ Robert Barnes, is a key ally of Miah, along with Lewis Quigg who is Political Chair of the Oldham Tories. Barnes is Vice-Chair.
The latest lists of candidates set to contest the elections, broken down by individual party, can be found here. Only Labour, so far, has provided a full list. Deadline for nominations is 4pm on Tuesday 5th April, 2022.
The Returning Officer is Harry Catherall, Oldham Council’s chief executive.
The period previously known as ‘Purdah’ begins with the issuing of the formal Notice of Election. Now known as the ‘pre-election period’, it describes the window immediately before elections (or referendums) when specific restrictions on communications activity are in place. The term ‘heightened sensitivity’ is also sometimes used.
It is important to note that pre-election rules also restrict activity wider than just publicity: Use of council facilities and resources; the member’s code of conduct, developing new policies and holding of events – including some meetings – featuring elected officials should all be carefully considered during this period.
Page last updated: Tuesday 29th March, 2022 at 0955 hours
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