Voters go to the polls in Rochdale by-election
The by-election was triggered following the death of sitting MP Sir Tony Lloyd.
Last updated 29th Feb 2024
Voters in Rochdale go to the polls today in one of the UK's most divisive by-elections in recent years.
Alleged death threats, candidates wearing stab vests and vandalism have been reported during campaigning to win the seat following the death last month of sitting MP Sir Tony Lloyd.
Here's the full list of candidates in the running to be Rochdale's MP:
- Azhar Ali - Labour
- Mark Coleman - Independent
- Simon Danczuk - Reform UK
- Iain Donaldson - LIberal Democrats
- Paul Ellison - Conservative
- George Galloway - Workers Party of Britain
- Michael Howarth - Independent
- William Howarth - Independent
- Guy Otten - Green Party
- Ravin Rodent Subortna - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
- Anthony Tully - Independent
Azhar Ali is no longer backed by Labour after they withdrew their support for him, but he remains a candidate as it was too late to withdraw his name from the ballot papers.
Guy Otten, the Green Party candidate, has also had party support withdrawn over comments made on Twitter though, like Mr Ali, his name will still appear on the ballot paper.
The number of postal votes in the election is high, standing at 21,810 out of an electorate of 82,615.
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm with the declaration result expected around 3am.