Campaigners and elections staff have raised concerns over the deliverability of voter ID at next year’s polls.
Secondary legislation for voter ID regulations was laid in Parliament last week, leaving the Electoral Commission racing to finalise its guidance by the end of the month.
With local elections due to take place in less than six months, the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) warned any further delays could make the reforms undeliverable.
AEA chief executive Peter Stanyon said: ‘With scheduled elections just six months from today, we remain concerned about the tightness of timescales to successfully introduce voter ID for 4 May 2023.
‘The elections will, as always, be delivered through the determination and professionalism of electoral administrators.
'However, any further slip in these already tight timelines will mean that, through no fault of their own, those professionals will struggle, introducing unnecessary risk and confusion to the voting public.’
Campaign groups the Electoral Reform Society, Unlock Democracy and Hands Off Our Vote have also asked the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee to launch an inquiry into voter ID.
A Government spokesperson said: ‘These changes are being carefully implemented and we are working closely with the sector as we deliver on these reforms.’
