Council of Europe monitors record voter turnaways in England over photo ID confusion
While officials describe the issue as not widespread, a comprehensive report on polling station organisation, staff training, and potential foreign interference is expected to be released on Friday.
A delegation from the Council of Europe has recorded instances where voters in England were turned away from polling stations due to confusion regarding photo identification requirements under the Elections Act 2022. The 17-member delegation, comprising representatives from Ireland, Poland, Germany, and Moldova, observed these incidents on Thursday in locations including London, Gorton, and Denton. Although the monitors described the issue as not widespread, they are compiling a detailed report that is scheduled for publication on Friday.
The upcoming assessment from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will examine the organisation of polling stations, the training of staff, accessibility for people with disabilities, and potential harassment or interference. Jani Kokko, a member of the Finnish parliament and part of the delegation, emphasised the heightened importance of these observations given the increasing threat of foreign interference, attempts to undermine democracy, and disinformation campaigns. The visit forms part of broader moves to share information among European states, even though Russian interference is not currently considered a significant issue in these specific elections.
Prior to visiting the stations, the delegation met with UK government officials and opposition parties in Westminster. Steve Reed, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, held discussions with the group on Wednesday, alongside representatives from the Labour and Green parties. These meetings preceded the on-the-ground observations where the confusion specifically related to the type of official document required as valid photo identification, such as a passport or a photo driving licence.
The confusion witnessed over photo identification requirements has drawn attention to the broader implications of the Elections Act 2022, which introduced mandatory photo ID for some UK elections, including general elections and local elections in England. Concerns were previously raised that these rules could lead to the disenfranchisement of groups less likely to possess the accepted forms of ID. This context adds weight to the Council of Europe's findings, as the organisation represents 46 European member states and is the only international body that observes local and regional elections.
The delegation's report will also address issues of accessibility and potential interference, building on previous concerns raised by a UK-based election observer group in February regarding alleged "family voting" in Gorton and Denton. While a subsequent police inquiry found no evidence of intent to influence or refrain anyone from casting a ballot, the current focus remains on the administrative clarity and integrity of the voting process. A council in Scotland recently apologised for sending out polling cards that incorrectly stated photo ID was needed for Scottish parliament elections, highlighting the ongoing challenges in communicating these rules across the region.
It is noted that while photo ID rules apply to general elections and local elections in England, they do not apply to Welsh Senedd elections. The Council of Europe's report is expected to provide recommendations not just for the UK, but also for measures being taken in other jurisdictions, aiming to strengthen democratic resilience against external threats and internal administrative failures.