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Polls have closed in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, the first such contest since the coalition government was formed last year.

The by-election was called after a specially convened election court found Labour Party candidate Phil Woolas had lied about an opponent.

Labour won the seat by just 103 votes in May from the Liberal Democrats with the Conservatives in third place.

The result is expected to be declared at about 0200 GMT on Friday.

The by-election is the first significant opportunity that voters have had to pass judgement on the policies of the coalition government and Ed Miliband's performance as opposition leader. - BBC