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Electoral system is 'letting down voters'

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date21 March 2024
Publication titleEvening Chronicle
An inquiry by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee also found issues with the introduction of recent electoral reforms, including the roll-out of mandatory photo identification for voters, which have prevented some people from having their say during local elections

Chairman Clive Betts said the new requirements had been "tacked onto a Victorian era system" that was "creaking" and letting down voters.

He said it amounted to a "major and fundamental defect in our democratic system" that millions of UK citizens face being shut out at the next general election due to defects in the current voter enrolment process. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has indicated he will send the country to the polls to elect a new Westminster government in the second half of 2024, having ruled out coinciding it with local elections on May 2.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday appeared to hint October is under consideration for a general election date, with January 2025 the deadline for a fresh contest.

All voters at the general election will need to show a form of photo ID at their polling station in order to cast a ballot, such as a passport, driving licence or blue badge.

Anyone without an acceptable form of ID will be able to apply to their local council for a special...

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