Polling Stations: Proof of Identity

(asked on 2nd March 2017) - View Source

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the announcement of 27 December 2016, Press release: Eliminating electoral fraud in polling stations, when the Government plans to publish further guidance on the trial of identification in polling stations at the local government elections in May 2018; and whether the Government plans that that guidance will clarify (a) how the Government will communicate those changes to electors and (b) what training will be given to polling station staff.


Answered by
Chris Skidmore Portrait
Chris Skidmore
This question was answered on 9th March 2017

In its response to Sir Eric Pickles’ review of electoral fraud, the Government announced its intention to run a number of pilot schemes at local government elections in May 2018. The pilot schemes are part of a comprehensive programme of reform that will enhance public confidence in our elections, and strengthen electoral integrity.

The Government is keen to be inclusive in making plans to bring forward Sir Eric’s recommendations. The Government is conscious of the need to ensure that legitimate electors are not disenfranchised, and will give careful consideration to the impacts of the pilots. Over the coming weeks and months, the Government will be working with its key electoral partners, including the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, to set out in detail our plans for implementing and evaluating the pilot schemes.

The pilot schemes will enable us to accurately determine the impact of asking voters in Great Britain to present identification before voting. This, in turn, will ensure that the Government can build a clear, secure democracy that works for everyone.

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