Government voting shift to photo ID brings major shake-up to voting process

A major change to the process of going to vote is to be the subject of a national awareness campaign by the government, starting next week.

The changes will see voters required to bring photo ID with them to polling stations, or be refused the right to vote, if they do not.

The shake-up will come in to effect from May of this year and will become standard protocol for other elections nationally, including the general election, from October.

"Our biggest priority is making sure the electorate is informed, because the biggest thing that can go wrong is masses of people turning up to vote without knowing about the new requirement for approved photo ID," said Trevor Holden, returning officer for Broadland County Council and South Norfolk Council.

"In a polling station, there won't be any flexibility. If people do not bring the correct photo ID with them, they won't be able to vote.

"For those who do not own any of the accepted identification forms, they will be able to apply ahead of an election to receive a voter authority certificate, which they can use instead.

"For the upcoming district and parish elections in May, the latest you can apply for that is April 25.

"It's really important that we get this message out there, and to let people know that if they are a new voter or have moved house recently, they will also need to register to vote before they can do so.

"The changes won't apply to postal votes because there are stringent checks during that process already.

"The government has brought in this legislation primarily, to give people absolute confidence in the integrity of the system and the election process."

To find out more details, please visit the electoral commission website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk