The UK Government will introduce requirements for voters to present photo ID when casting ballots to ensure the integrity of the election.
The Election Completeness Bill, which requires voters to present their ID before ballots are issued at polling stations, is part of the conservative legislative agenda set in the Queen’s speech on Tuesday.
“I think presenting ID to vote is a reasonable approach to combating the unacceptable possibility of fraudulent voting,” said an official spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“Everyone wants to maintain the integrity of our democracy, which will align us not only with Northern Ireland, but with many European countries including Canada, France, the Netherlands and Sweden. All IDs are required to vote, “said a spokeswoman.
The main opposition Labor Party has accused the government of trying to make people’s votes difficult.
Shadow Justice Secretary David Rummy said on Twitter that the government has prioritized “repressing voters” and “depriving millions of people by voter IDs.”
Lisa Nandy, a foreign secretary in the shadow of the Labor Party, told Sky News that the government should protect Britain’s democracy by taking action against Russian intervention.
Asked if the Labor Party would support a plan to require a voter ID, she said: In recent years, they have taken no action to protect our democracy from foreign attacks. “
The election integrity bill has also been attacked by US civil rights groups.
by Parents, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and Common Cause said that the voter ID requirement “corresponds to Republican voter suppression and is likely to undermine confidence in the democratic process.” Said.
Voters voting at UK polling stations do not currently need to show their ID before receiving ballots, but Northern Ireland, which has been part of the UK for nearly 40 years, requires it. ..
The voter ID requirement was introduced in Northern Ireland after the 1983 general election, following concerns about the extent of fraudulent voting in the UK states. Since 2003, a photo ID has been required.
according to Briefing paper Regarding the House of Commons, “There was no evidence that Northern Ireland’s ID requirements affected turnout.”
Since 2014, the Election Commission has recommended that photo IDs be required in other parts of the UK.
The Commission said that the voter ID system introduced in the UK should reflect the Northern Ireland system where voters who do not have access to approved photo IDs can apply for a free photo election ID card from the local council. Is recommended.
PA contributed to this report.