ID rules stopped 14,000 people voting, watchdog finds

Around 14,000 people were unable to vote in local elections in England because they did not have an accepted form of photo ID, according to the Electoral Commission.

Research suggests that ethnic minorities and the unemployed were most likely to be affected by the issue. 

The report also found that a “significantly higher” number of people were discouraged from voting due to the requirement of needing photo ID at polling stations. 

This policy was implemented for the first time in the British election held in May. 

Whilst the figure is said to be around 14,000, the true number could be much higher, as some individuals who intended to vote at polling stations may have turned away after reading the requirements at the entrance but were not formally recorded, the Commission said. 

The figures are also based on incomplete data received from 226 of the 230 councils where polls were held this year.