English polling stations to bring in extra staff as voter ID changes begin

The introduction of mandatory photo ID at the polling booths has been met with severe criticism from MPs and campaigners. Photograph: Dinendra Haria/SOPA/Rex/Shutterstock

Polling stations in England will have extra staff to help voters on 4 May as the government introduces its new rules on photographic ID, the Electoral Commission has said.

Craig Westwood, the director of communications at the commission, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that workers had been preparing for months to put plans in place.