THE Green Party claims a ballot box went missing for 45 minutes in the recent Hope Carr by-election.

But, the Council insists, no ballot box ever went missing!

Chris Maile, unsuccessful Green Party candidate, has written to Wigan's Chief Executive Stephen Jones questioning circumstances which he says resulted in a request for police assistance.

He said: "The Green Party is not implying there is something untoward in the way this ballot box was apparently mislaid.

"But there has been no statement as to where the box was during that time - or how it became mislaid.

"It may have been quite innocent. However, this was a bitterly-fought campaign, and, therefore, everything must be seen to be fully above board."

In a strongly worded response, Mr Jones said: "It seems to be Mr Maile's practice to publish letters addressed to me, either as Chief Executive or Returning Officer, before I actually receive them.

"In fact, I have still not received his letter the day after he released it to the Press.

"People will draw their own conclusions, therefore, as to what this is really about.

"The facts are that no ballot box was ever mislaid. At one polling station there was a heavy poll, and the instruction given to all presiding officers at the polling stations was that they should take time to ensure their ballot paper accounts and paperwork were properly completed before coming to the count.

"As we were getting some way through the count, and one ballot box was yet to be brought in, I asked the police as a courtesy to check that the presiding officer's car had not broken down or something similar.

"A few minutes later he arrived with the ballot box. I cannot stress too strongly that at no time was the box ever misplaced or out of the sight of the presiding officer.

"Given the timing of this letter it is difficult not to believe that it is the product of mischief-making.

"If any candidate believes there is cause for the kind of implication contained in Mr Maile's letter he should take out an election petition and have his assertions tested in a court of law."

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