Oldham Council has received the necessary requests for the current vacancy in the Failsworth West ward to be filled by holding an election. If contested, a By-Election will take place on Thursday 12 November 2026.
Nomination Packs for Candidates
Nomination packs can be collected from our elections office at The JR Clynes Building, Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL between 9:00am – 17:00pm. Alternatively, they can be e-mailed upon request by emailing election@oldham.gov.uk
Guidance and further information will be included with your nomination pack and it is recommended that you read through this thoroughly.
The nomination period for this election begins on Friday 9 October 2026 and closes at 4pm on Friday 16 October 2026 (excluding weekends and bank holidays).
You will need to formally submit your nomination papers and they must be submitted in person, they cannot be submitted by post, fax, e-mail or other electronic means. You are advised to make an appointment for you or someone you trust to deliver your completed final nomination papers. You can make an appointment by emailing the elections team at election@oldham.gov.uk
Nomination Papers must be delivered to The JR Clynes Building, Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL. On arrival at the The JR Clynes Building, you will be required to check into reception and then wait to personally deliver them to a member of the elections team. Nomination papers can be delivered between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm on any day (excluding weekends and bank holidays) from Friday 9 October 2026 until NO LATER THAN 4pm on Friday 16 October 2026.
Uncontested
If there were to be only one candidate nominated (as there is only one vacancy), then that candidate would be elected without contest, but if more than one valid nomination is received, a poll will be held on Thursday 12 November 2026.
Contested
If contested (more than one candidate) there will be an Election on Thursday 12 November 2026 and further information will be added to this page. A notice will be published with the Candidates standing for election no later than the legal deadline of 4.00pm on Monday 19 October 2026.
Key Election Dates
Local Government Election Timetable
Timetable of Proceedings for Thursday 12 November 2026
| Event | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Publication of Notice of Election | Thursday 8 October 2026 |
| Receipt of Nominations | 4pm, Friday 16 October 2026 |
| Withdrawal of Candidate | 4pm, Friday 16 October 2026 |
| Appointment of Election Agents | 4pm, Friday 16 October 2026 |
| Publication of Notice of Election Agents | 4pm, Monday 19 October 2026 |
| Publication of Statements of Persons Nominated | 4pm, Monday 19 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration | Tuesday 27 October 2026 |
| Receipt of Postal Vote Applications | 5pm, Wednesday 28 October 2026 |
| Last Day for Voter Authority Certificates | 5pm, Wednesday 4 November 2026 |
| Publication of Notice of Poll | Wednesday 4 November 2026 |
| Receipt of Proxy Vote Applications | 5pm, Wednesday 4 November 2026 |
| Appointment of Poll and Count Agents | Thursday 5 November 2026 |
| First Day to Issue Replacement Lost Postal Ballot Papers | Friday 6 November 2026 |
| Last Day to Issue Replacement Spoilt or Lost Postal Ballot Papers | 5pm, Thursday 12 November 2026 |
| Receipt of Emergency Proxy Vote Applications | 5pm, Thursday 12 November 2026 |
| Day of Poll | 7am to 10pm, Thursday 12 November 2026 |
| Return of Election Expenses | Thursday 17 December 2026 |
Contact
To contact Oldham Council’s election team:
- Email us at: election@oldham.gov.uk
- Call: 0161 770 4718
To contact the Electoral Commission:
- Email: infoengland@electoralcommission.org.uk
- Call: 0333 103 1928
- Website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/contact-us
Dated: Monday 5 October 2026