Mark Whitehead 04 May 2018

Voters turned away from polling booths due to ID scheme

Would-be voters were turned away from polling booths for the first time in trials of controversial ID schemes designed to tackle electoral fraud.

Reports suggest some were not carrying the required documents while there was also some confusion over what evidence needed to be shown.

The scheme has been condemned by a wide range of bodies including the Electoral Reform Society which branded it a 'draconian measure which risks excluding many legitimate voters from our democracy.'

In Bromley, south-east London, the opposition Labour group said at least 13 people were turned away from one ward.

According to reports an experienced voting clerk had to turn away a man he knew personally as the would-be voter did not have the necessary documents.

Angela Wilkins, leader of the Labour group on Bromley council, said most people being turned away were reportedly from Crystal Palace, the most deprived and diverse part of the borough.

'We assume tallies are being taken about how many people are refused at each polling station, and if it turns out this is a particular problem in places like Crystal Palace it bears out some of the concerns we have raised,' she said.

However, Stuart Wilks-Heeg, an expert on electoral integrity at Manchester University, said the pilot appeared to be running smoothly at three polling stations in Woking where two people were turned away.

'Polling station staff were really well briefed and voters clearly knew about the requirements,' he said.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Best Interest Assessor (DoLS Team)

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£39,526 - £43,613 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Best Interest Assessor to join our DoLS Team! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Lifeguard

Ribble Valley Borough Council
£24,756 to £25,185 per annum
Applicants must be competent swimmers, preferably with experience in a swimming pool. Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Overview and Scrutiny Officers

Durham County Council
£38,220 to £41,771 p.a. Pay Award Pending
We're looking for an Overview and Scrutiny Officer to join our team and play a key role in supporting elected members to review, challenge and influen Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Café Assistant - Harlow Library & ACL Centre

Essex County Council
Up to £25959.0000 per annum
Café Assistant - Harlow Library & ACL CentrePermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,959 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Lead Officer - Housing ICT (CX Asset Management) - EFDC

Essex County Council
£500.0000 - £650.0000 per day
Lead Officer - Housing ICT (CX Asset Management) - Epping Forest District CouncilRemote Worker £500-£650 per day Umbrella, dependant on experiencePart England, Essex, Epping
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner