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

Head of Housing Strategy, Quality and Assurance

Redbridge London Borough Council
£89,037 - £92,538
We’re looking for someone who can think holistically, and work in collaboration with other stakeholders Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Driver

North Yorkshire Council
£24,796 - £25,989 per annum, pro rata
We are looking for caring, flexible, team orientated and committed people to help us provide this transport. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

School Crossing Patrol

North Yorkshire Council
£12.85 - £13.47 per hour
All our school crossing patrols provide a really valuable service to the local community Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum
Register your interest here to be notified of upcoming Social Worker opportunities within Essex County Council's Adult Social Care services in Mid Es England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

Amey
£Competitive
Working with National Highways, Amey maintains over 700 kilometres of roads across the East Midlands Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recuriter: Amey
Linkedin Banner