ID at the ready ahead of tomorrow’s general election

WITH under 24 hours to go until the polls open for the general election, BCP Council are asking residents to get their photo IDs ready.

In order to vote tomorrow, Thursday, July 4, residents will need to bring an acceptable form of photo ID with them to the polling station.

Without an acceptable form of photo ID, residents won’t be able to cast their vote at the polling station.

Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence and some bus passes. A full list of accepted IDs is available via bcpcouncil.gov.uk/voterID.

Graham Farrant, Acting Returning Officer at BCP Council, said: “The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was in place since last year’s local elections, and overall residents of BCP responded well to this change.

“For those voting for the first time since this requirement came in, most photo ID that you have, like a passport or driving licence, will be accepted. It does not have to be in date. You can bring expired ID, as long as the picture still looks like you."

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications, at the Electoral Commission, added: “If a voter has concerns about showing their face at a polling station, because they wear a face covering for example, they can ask to have their ID checked in private.

“They won’t need to give a reason for their request or explain why they’d prefer privacy. Staff will be trained to handle requests for ID to be checked in private, discreetly and with courtesy.”

Polling stations open at 7am in the morning until 10pm in the evening on the day of the election. Residents can find their polling station by visiting bcpcouncil.gov.uk/pollingstations