2002 Pendle Borough Council election

[4] Several councillors stood down at the election, including Conservative group leader Roy Clarkson, Liberal Democrat former mayors Ian Gilhespy and Gill Gilhespy and Labour's Tim Ormrod, while Liberal Democrat Lord Tony Greaves stood for the party in Walverden ward.

[4] Issues in the election included the handling of proposals for closing residential homes, the proposed demolition of houses in Nelson, the condition of private housing in the area, the selection of the area as part of the Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder Programme and policing.

[3] The election saw a trial of optional postal voting in an attempt to increase turnout, but there were allegations that the process was being abused.

[6] The police made an investigation after one agent for the Liberal Democrats requested it,[6] with the allegations also being looked into by the Electoral Commission.

[7] The results saw the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties both finish on 19 seats, while the Conservatives won 11.