Former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a hiccup when he was turned away from his local polling station after forgetting to bring valid photo identification.
Initially reported by Sky News, Johnson returned later with the required ID and successfully cast his ballot in South Oxfordshire, where voters were participating in the election of a police and crime commissioner.
The requirement for photo ID to vote was introduced by Johnson's government through the Elections Act 2022, with implementation beginning last year during the May 2023 local elections. This change aimed to enhance electoral integrity but resulted in about 14,000 individuals being unable to vote in England's local elections due to lack of acceptable ID.
Acceptable forms of ID include passports, driving licenses, older or Disabled Person's bus passes, and Oyster 60+ cards. Additionally, individuals registered to vote can obtain a free Voter Authority Certificate.
Amid concerns raised by veterans who were turned away from polling stations despite presenting their veterans' ID cards, the government is considering including these cards as valid forms of voter identification. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer apologized to affected individuals, assuring efforts to rectify the situation.
In a separate incident, Conservative MP Tom Hunt, citing his dyspraxia, lost his passport, necessitating an emergency proxy vote arrangement. Hunt emphasized the need for sensitivity in discussing disabilities and urged caution regarding online criticisms.
While acknowledging minor issues reported with voter ID, Transport Secretary Mark Harper noted that most voters found the process straightforward. Despite challenges, the Electoral Commission emphasized that the majority of voters were able to cast their ballots, attributing any issues to initial adjustments to the new requirements.
Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, highlighted successful awareness campaigns aimed at educating voters about the new rules, suggesting that reported issues were primarily teething problems requiring careful evaluation. Photo by UK Government, Wikimedia commons.