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Local election candidate fuming over his name being spelt wrong

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 18:09

By George Lythgoe

A candidate running in Rochdale’s local elections was outraged after his name was misspelt by the council.

Stefan Cholewka’s name was incorrectly put down as ‘Stefan Cholenka’ on the list of candidates running in the upcoming town hall polls. 

He claims there were no misspellings of his name during his communications with the council over standing in the elections.

Stefan has since registered a complaint with the Electoral Commission. The man hoping to clinch the Spotland and Falinge seat on May 7 was also annoyed at being listed as an independent candidate, despite being part of Your Party.

The socialist political party was founded in 2025 by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. The party’s website does not have Stefan listed as one of its local election candidates.

Stefan did get in touch with Your Party’s head office to ask for the sign off to use Your Party’s name and logo, but that did get done in time. 

Rochdale council confirmed it had no document proving Stefan was a member of Your Party, so listed him as an independent.

Stefan said: “When I stood as a Labour candidate three times before I never had a problem with the spelling of my name. In terms of being listed as an independent, I expected it because a week before candidates in London were trying to get wet signatures and the central office didn’t realise they needed that to register candidates.

“I’m not surprised I didn’t get registered in time because hundreds of candidates had the same issue. I am angry and frustrated as we’ve had no support.”

Stefan Cholewka is up against six other candidates in the same ward come polling day. The seat is currently held by Coun Iram Faisal, who is hoping to retain it for Labour.

A spokesperson for Rochdale council said they will make sure to correct the spelling of Stefan’s last name on the ballot papers, but nothing can be done to change him from being an independent.

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