A FORMER councillor who successfully challenged last May’s local elections in the Over ward has hailed the ruling as a ‘victory for democracy’.

Winsford Town Council ward members for Over, Gina Lewis, Margaret Dolphin and Graham Cawley were respondents in the election court trial held in Winsford last week.

It was claimed their nomination forms for the May 7 elections were invalid as they were seconded by people who did not live in the Over ward.

Honour Judge Saffman upheld the petition raised by former Lib Dem councillor Charles Parkinson – who lost his seat in the ward – and declared the election for the Over ward is void.

Mr Parkinson said: “The whole point of this was to make sure that people realised that we support democracy and a democratic process.

“It’s immaterial whether it’s one subscriber, two subscribers – the judge clearly thought we were correct. The rules were broken, it’s as simple as that.

“Justice was done.”

Steve Robinson, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s chief executive and returning officer during the local, borough and Parliamentary elections, was also a respondent in the trial.

Mr Robinson validated the nomination forms and also supplied ‘defective’ forms to candidates, though they were ultimately deemed responsible for the breach.

He said: “It was clear once the matter was raised that the nomination papers were not valid and there would have to be another election.

“This could only be triggered by the petition hearing. In my evidence to the court I was clear that this needed to happen.”

Mr Robinson announced last week that he will leave his post in June after eight years in the role.

A CWAC spokesman said the election trial had no bearing on his decision to step down.

The councillors have now resigned and three casual vacancies for the Over ward has been declared.

If 10 people request an election then a by-election will take place later this year.

Mrs Lewis said a 'technical flaw' has ‘completely overruled the will of the people’.

She said: “What was our heinous crime? The two names supporting our nominations, whilst being residents of Winsford, did not live in the ward.

“The voters, who decided who they wished to represent their interests at Winsford Town Council, are completely disregarded.”

Graham Cawley said the ruling 'made a mockery of the election process'.

He said: "The residents of Over Ward must vote, if a by-election is declared, and  assert their right to freely  choose the people who they feel will best serve their interests in this ward and the town as a whole."

Mrs Dolphin, who decided to remain neutral in the proceedings, said: “It was my belief that both signatories were residents of Over, this was clearly their understanding too.”