Elections

Due to the resignation of Councillor Michael Royds, a vacancy has arisen in Whitworth ward.  A by-election to fill the vacancy will be held within 35 days of the election being requested by 2 electors from the Rossendale local authority area.

The notice of vacancy can be viewed here.

The request to hold an election has now been received and the by-election will take place on Thursday 26 June 2025, you can view the Notice of Election here.

How to Stand as a Candidate

Nomination packs for the Borough Council elections will be available for collection from Wednesday 21 May 2025, from Electoral Services, Futures Park, Bacup, OL13 0BB.  Please contact Electoral Services if you wish to collect a pack.

The nomination period will be open from 9.00am on Thursday 22 May and closes at 4.00pm on Friday 30 May 2025.

For more information about standing as a candidate or to obtain a nomination pack, please contact Electoral Services.  Further information and nomination forms are also available from the Electoral Commission.

You can find information on becoming a councillor at Elections — #MakeAChange (nalc.gov.uk)

Register to vote

Registered voters will be sent a poll card between the end of May and early June.  If you have not received a poll card by 6 June 2025, or you have recently moved, you may not be registered to vote.  You can register to vote online or contact Electoral Services and request a paper copy of the form.  The deadline to register to vote at these elections is midnight on Tuesday 10 June 2025.

Who can vote

To vote at these elections, you must be aged 18 or over on election day and be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a qualifying citizen of another member state of the European Union.

Your name must appear on the Electoral Register before you can vote.

Voting by post

Voters who have already requested to vote by post will be sent a postal poll card around the end of May with information about their postal vote.  If you wish to cancel your postal vote and vote in person at your polling station, you must notify Electoral Services before 5pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025.

If you wish to apply to vote by post, you must submit your application before 5pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025.  You can apply for a postal vote online here.

If you require a postal vote because you will be away on election day but are going away before they are posted around 16 June 2025 (please see further information about issue dates below), you may wish to consider voting by proxy instead.  if you wish to vote by proxy, you must submit your application before 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025.  If you are already registered to vote by post, you must cancel your postal vote before 5pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025 if you now wish to vote by proxy.  You can apply for a proxy vote here.

When will I receive my postal vote?

All postal votes will be issued around 16 June 2025.

If you have not received your postal vote by Friday 20 June 2025 please contact Electoral Services.

How do I complete my postal vote?

When you receive your postal vote, read the instructions carefully.  Your postal vote includes the ballot paper and a postal voting statement.  You can vote for 1 candidate only in the Whitworth by-election.  Complete the statement with your date of birth and signature and put a cross next to your choice of candidate.  Completed postal votes need to be returned to the Returning Officer by 10pm on Thursday 26 June 2025.  If you miss the post you can hand your completed postal vote into any polling station in Whitworth ward or at Futures Park in Bacup.  Please note that due to new regulations introduced by the Elections Act you will need to complete a form to hand in with your postal vote, please do not post any completed postal votes through the letterbox at our offices as your vote will be rejected.

If you need help to vote, you can ask someone you know or get independent help by contacting Electoral Services.

If you lose your postal vote or make a mistake, contact Electoral Services straight away.  A replacement postal vote can only be issued between Friday 20 June and 5pm on Thursday 26 June 2025.

Voting by proxy

If you will be away or cannot go to the polling station on 26 June, you can apply to vote by proxy.  This means someone else can vote on your behalf.

Completed applications must reach us before 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025.  Your appointed proxy must attend your polling station to vote on your behalf.  If they are unable to attend your polling station they can apply to vote by postal proxy but they must do so before 5pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025.  You can apply to vote by proxy here.

If after 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025 you have a medical emergency or learn you cannot go to the polling station because of work reasons, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy.  This means someone else can vote on your behalf.  The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on Thursday 26 June 2025.

How to vote

Always read the instructions on how to complete the ballot paper carefully, even if you have voted before.  The ballot paper lists the name of each candidate along with their party name and party logo (if any).

You are able to vote for one candidate only at the by-election.  Simply put an X (a cross) next to the candidate you wish to vote for.

Who is elected

The candidate with the most votes will be elected using the first past the post system.    

Results

The count will take place on Thursday 26 June 2025 at 10.30pm.  The result will be announced at the conclusion of the count and will be published on this website.

More information

If you would like more information about these elections, please contact Electoral Services