WHEN I saw the list of over 300 names on the 'late postal voter list' for the Crompton by-election, I was extremely concerned.

These are people who don't usually have a postal vote, but have registered for one at the last minute just before the deadline.

I have over 20 years experience as an election agent and one would normally expect about 100-150 names (if that) per ward on the 'late list', and even less at a by-election. These would be spread across the ward relatively evenly.

When I saw over 300 names, and all concentrated in just three of the seven polling districts within Crompton ward, areas with a high Asian population, I started to be concerned. When I later found out that the majority of the postal vote applications were delivered to the Council en bloc, then it raises some very serious issues.

When knocking on doors parties are within their rights to ask if a supporter has ever considered a postal vote and to give out application forms, but when so many additional applications have been returned, it does raise issues of potential coercion and the possibility of undue pressure being exerted.

It also unfortunately raises the possibility of postal votes being collected in en bloc and perhaps even more concerning, not completed by the individual voter themselves.

Why would over 300 people suddenly decide to vote by post when they all live relatively close to a polling station, and have never registered before?

Before somebody accuses me of playing a race card, let me strongly refute that. I stand by and am proud of my record. I played a huge role in the election of Bolton's first ever Asian councillor, a Conservative; and have played a leading role within the Party in attracting Asian members and candidates at both local and General Elections.

As Leader, I was proud at the last local elections to have 5 Asian candidates, a quarter of the number up for election.

This is about fairness and doing things right. When I feel that certain actions may be taking place that undermine our democratic system and call into question the legitimacy of our elections, then I can be silent no longer; and if local politicians have concerns, it is only right that the people of Bolton know about them.

For those who say I am causing division, that is the last thing I want. In fact, if wrong-doing is taking place, I am standing up for those Asian people who may be being coerced or having pressure exerted.

There have been a number of occasions in the past where my party has been contacted by residents who have complained that their ballot papers being taken away from them by family members, but are too fearful to come forward because of repercussions.

I will be asking the Borough Solicitor and the Chief Executive to look into the matter, and will be taking this up within my own party at the highest level.

I will be telling them that in my opinion unless the law can be tightened in order to undo any potential wrong-doing, then we should return to the system whereby you can only vote by post if you have a valid reason for not going to get to the polling station (ie health, away from home etc)

We have to have 100 per cent confidence in our democratic process, and we need to have the guts to address these very sensitive issues, get them out in the open, have an honest debate, and at all cost, protect our democracy and restore faith in our system.

Cllr David Greenhalgh

Leader of the Conservative Group

Bolton Council