Rochdale Election 2015 - Live Commentary - Simon Danczuk retains his seat

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Labour Simon Danczuk (Elected) 20961
UKIP Mohammed Masud 8519
Conservative Azi Ahmed 7742
Liberal Democrat Andy Kelly 4667
Rochdale First Farooq Ahmed 1535
Green Mark Hollinrake 1382
National Front Kevin Alastair Bryan 433
Islam Zinda Baad Mohammed Salim 191

3.52am Simon Danczuk retains his seat in Rochdale with over 20,000 votes - a majority of 12,442.

3.49am Simon Danczuk has recorded the highest ever majority in Rochdale, close to 12,500.

3.41am Result announcement imminent, Acting Returning Officer Steve Rumbelow speaking with the candidates.

3.25am Looking like Simon Danczuk may have the largest majority ever in Rochdale (previously 11,500, Jack McCann in 1966).

3.10am A result is expected to be announced around 3.30am.

3.00am Simon Danczuk is not giving any comments to the media prior to the result being announced.

2.50am The turnout for the General Election (Rochdale constituency) is 59.12%. The turnout in the Local Election (whole of Rochdale borough) is 59.45%.

2.45am Simon Danczuk has arrived at the count.

The turnout this year is believed to be around 59% but that figure is yet to be confirmed.

At the last General Election in 2010, Labour won the seat with 16,699 votes with a majority of 889. The total number of votes cast in that year was 45,907.

2.20am Counting in all wards is now under way.

2.10am No turnout figure for Rochdale has been given yet.

2.05am Council staff have confirmed that there is no substance to the rumour that any ballot boxes have been transported to the wrong venue. "All boxes that should be here, are here."

1.55am Counting has started in three wards.

1.44am Count proper about to start but looks like Simon Danczuk has won by a large margin.

1.40am Earlier tonight two people were arrested by police outside the Town Hall after a disturbance.

1.35am Verification still ongoing. Simon Danczuk is not expected to arrive at the Town Hall until the count proper is underway.

1.15am Mark Hollinrake, Green Party candidate: "I am relatively relaxed because I have nothing to lose. 
I think that the Party have provided a decent showing because no-one stood in Rochdale for the Greens last time."

12.35am Farooq Ahmed, Rochdale First candidate: "We need representatives who are actually from the borough; people who actually know what the area needs. I don't expect to win but at least the message is now out there."

12.30am Council sources say that the verification process is expected to take another hour. 

12.15am Liberal Democrat candidate, Andy Kelly: "The junior party always suffers in a coalition. Lib Dems have been taking the blame for the bad but not being given enough credit for the good. There's always been a Liberal thread through Rochdale and people in Rochdale are supportive.

11.55pm Council Leader Richard Farnell, said: Rochdale has been a struggling town and we need a Labour Government to change that. We are confident of winning but you can never take anything for granted. The only people who have been on the ground actually talking to the people has been Labour. Until we get a Labour Government, a lot of changes are not going to happen. We need a Government that will back Rochdale."

11.25pm Conservative candidate Azi Ahmed: "The people of Rochdale need something different, they want something different.
When you look at what has become of Rochdale, you have to wonder what the current leadership have been doing.
Unlike career politicians, I know what it's like to be out in the real world so I understand the people better." When asked why people should trust her she responded, "Becasue I am not a politician".

11.15pm Labour Cllr Allen Brett: "I am supremely confident in Labour winning in Rochdale. I'm pleased with Simon Danczuks' work and all that he has done to make Labour a success. I think there has been a good turnout."

11.10pm Labour source says a vote for UKIP is a protest vote and have replaced Lib Dems but UKIP won't win in Rochdale.

10.55pm Mohammed Masud: "I am extremely confident we can win. I have been heavily engaged with the local community and the feedback has been good. Rochdale has become a lifeless town and I intend to change that. We need to protect our children and make sure they are not seen as easy prey. I will fight and continue to fight until we reach our goals."

10.50pm Labour Cllr Cecile Biant: "I'm fairly certain that generally, Labour and Simon Danczuk will win a majority in Rochdale and UKIP will come second."

10.40pm Boxes from all wards are in except Smallbridge & Firgrove and Central Rochdale.

10.20pm Ballot papers are being verified by counters here. Boxes are still arriving from polling stations.

10.10pm The first ballot boxes are starting to arrive at the Town Hall.

Council staff and counters are ready to get to work at Rochdale Town Hall as soon as the ballot boxes arrive.

The candidates in today's election are:

Azi Ahmed (Conservative)
Farooq Ahmed (Rochdale First)
Kevin Alastair Bryan  (National Front)
Simon Danczuk  (Labour)
Mark Hollinrake  (Green Party)
Andy Kelly (Liberal Democrat)
Mohammed Masud (UKIP)
Mohammed Salim (Islam Zinda Baad)