Firm in race against time as nominations close

Election 2011

A FIRM will be working over Christmas and the New Year to produce postal-vote packs for the January 13 by-election.

Print Image Network Ltd, of Stockport, has been contracted to print the forms to make sure they are ready in time.

Nominations for candidates close today at 4pm.

Anyone not registered to vote, or who wants a postal vote, must do so by 5pm today.

Most people in Oldham East and Saddleworth have received their polling cards for the by-election, triggered after Labour’s Phil Woolas was stripped of the seat which he retained by only 103 votes in May.

An historic election court — the first for 99 years — found that he had deliberately lied in election leaflets about Lib-Dem rival Elwyn Watkins.

A raft of big-names, from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to Labour leader Ed Miliband, have already hit the campaign trail in the constituency.

People can register to vote at the election office at Oldham Civic Centre, where three staff have given up three days of annual leave to open from December 29 to December 31.

The form can also be downloaded at www.oldham.gov.uk/council/elections/registering-to-vote.htm.

Postal-vote applications can be made at the office. This includes making alterations to existing arrangements on a permanent basis, or making a separate application for a ballot paper to be sent to a different address.

Applications for a proxy vote ballot paper (where someone else votes on your behalf) must reach the elections office by 5pm on January 5, except in certain unforeseen cases of illness or incapacity.

This can be done by visiting the office, calling 0161-770 4718 or downloading the form at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/how_do_i_vote/voting_by_proxy.aspx.