Ballot error could lead to election recount

Votes may have to be recounted in parts of Macclesfield because some voters in last week’s local elections were given the wrong ballot papers.

An administrative error at a polling station means “an unknown number” of people were able to vote for candidates from outside their own ward.

The error resulted in Gawsworth residents being sent voting papers for candidates standing in the South ward of Macclesfield’s new parish council.

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said the number of voters affected was small.

Cheshire East will make an application to a county court for the ineligible ballot papers to be discounted from the results.

Chris Andrew (Conservative) and Neil Puttick (Labour) were elected to represent South ward.

The Conservatives secured eight seats on the new parish council and Labour four.

Subject to court approval, the sealed envelopes containing the ballot papers will now be reopened and the result recalculated.

Cheshire East Council insists the “secrecy of the ballot will be maintained at all times”.

Labour have called for an apology and a “clear explanation” for the error.

Cheshire East Council said its returning officer “regrets this has become necessary” but added that only voters who used the polling station at Ivy Bank Primary School have been affected.