The local elections are just around the corner and Oldham Council is urging residents to ensure they are registered to exercise their democratic voice by taking part in the vote, which takes place on Thursday 3rd May.

The deadline for registering to vote is Wednesday 18th April. Residents can ensure they are registered by contacting Oldham Council’s election office on 0161 770 4718 or by email at “election@oldham.gov.uk” by this date. The process is simple – following contact by residents the elections office staff will send out a form by post which must be completed and returned.

Residents who may be planning to be away on 3rd May can apply for a postal or proxy vote. This can be done by visiting www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or contacting Oldham Council’s election office as described above. The deadline for applications for postal votes is Wednesday 18th April, and the deadline for proxy vote application is Wednesday 25th April. Should residents have a postal vote it cannot be changed to a proxy vote after 18th April.

DON’T DELAY – MAKE SURE YOU CAN USE YOUR VOTE TODAY.

If you are interested in the result of the local election on 3rd May, Oldham Council’s Elections Office have 100 tickets for residents to view the verification and count process from the public gallery. The verification and count will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 3rd May at 10pm. Residents can request tickets by writing to Elections Office, Room 222, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UL, stating their name and address. Alternatively, requests can be emailed to “election@oldham.gov.uk”.

Please note that tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.