Voter ID is a form of voter suppression

THE Government’s Elections Bill, returning to parliament next week, seeks to introduce a new law that will require everyone to show photo ID when voting in general elections. Is there a genuine need for this measure? There are very few, if any, instances of ‘personation,’ particularly in mainland UK.

Genuine election fraud is very seldom seen in this country. To adopt a policy of requiring people show photo ID in order to vote will have the consequence of denying many poor and vulnerable people the opportunity of carrying out their democratic mandate – it needs to be stopped!

Many of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society don’t have a passport or driving licence – 3.5 million people currently don’t have photo IDs. If voter IDs are introduced, the government could end up disenfranchising millions of people, and a disproportionate number of them will be black, Asian and ethnic minority voters, who are statistically less likely to have a photo ID.

The proposed law will put extra obstacles in the way for people to vote who lack the skills or funds to know about the new rules and get the necessary ID in time.

I have acted as an agent in two recent General Elections and numerous municipal elections,

I have never been aware of any election fraud, or attempts at electoral dishonesty, on behalf of the electorate. The Joint Committee on Human Rights has scrutinised the Bill and they have reported that the Government must do more to prove the Bill does not act as a deterrent to voting and impact marginalised groups.

Voting is our right – not a privilege. All plans of voter ID requirements at the polling booth should be scrapped immediately.

Justin Beament Crediton, Devon