Up the poll?

In the flurry of correspondence following Brian Monteith’s article (Perspective, 12 March), it is surprising that nobody has mentioned the polling card which is posted out to all voters prior to election day.

Even more surprising to me is that the clerks on duty at any polling station I have visited appear quite indifferent as to whether one produces this card or not. Merely giving your name and address is invariably enough to satisfy them.

While I am not sufficiently naive to be unaware that there are ways in which production of the card could be abused, surely it could be made a first criterion of eligibility to vote; it certainly avoids the disadvantages to voters who do not possess such documentation as a driving licence or a passport, as mentioned by a number of correspondents.

Postal voters could be required to return the polling card with their voting paper.

BILL GREENOCK Clarkston Road, Glasgow