Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Fears new rule on voter ID will hit polls turnout
‘Millions still lack the means to vote in May’
The government is under pressure to abandon its plan to introduce a requirement for voters to have some form of photo ID to take part in council elections in May.
The new rules could lead to election counts in the county being delayed and disrupted, critics have warned.
The new requirement could also lead to a decline in turnout, according to some, while returning officers are voicing concerns about the additional checks needed.
There are multiple council elections in Kent later this year, with every district and borough council, along with Medway
Council, going to the polls. The introduction of the rule has been criticised by some council leaders and campaign groups, who fear that voters are unaware of the new requirement.
Acceptable forms of ID will include a passport, driving licence, a Blue Badge and Older Person’s Bus Pass. Voters without some form of photo ID can apply for what is termed a Voter Authority Certificate but must be on the electoral register to do so. You will need to provide your National Insurance number. Nationally around 10,000 people have applied for a certificate. The deadline is 5pm on April 25. Stuart Bobby, chief executive of Gravesham council, said: “We are anticipating some issues as voters may turn up at polling stations without photo ID. “We are doing everything that we can to get the message out to people because we don’t want to disenfranchise anyone. We are recruiting more polling clerks and presiding officers on the day
to support people who want to vote on the day.”
Dr Jess Garland, director of policy and research, Electoral Reform Society said: “Voter ID is the biggest change to how our elections work in a generation and the fact that, less than 100 days away from polling day, millions still lack the means to vote is deeply worrying.
“The government has long claimed that their free ID would ensure that nobody is unable to cast a ballot, but these figures show that the vast majority of those who need one are yet to
register – meaning we could see thousands turned away on election day.”
Turnout at the council elections held in May last year was about 33%.
The government says the measures will help crackdown on fraud but there is little evidence that this is widespread. The leader of Tunbridge Wells council Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem) said: “Statistics show that there is no voter fraud problem in the UK. “Unfortunately the government has chosen to make it an
issue and are making it harder for people to vote.”
Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “May’s elections may seem a distant thought, but it is worth voters taking note of the changes now, and checking they have appropriate ID.
“That way, when polling day arrives, all they have to do is remember to bring it.” More information is available online at www.electoralcommission.org.uk or by calling 0800 328 0280.