Police could be called to 'flare ups' at polling stations, a Manchester councillor has warned as voters are required to present identification at the ballot box for the first time this year. Labour councillor Pat Karney has predicted that some voters will be turned away at the local elections in May for failing to show ID.
It comes as new laws will require all voters to show photo ID at polling stations this year. Anyone who does not have a passport, driving licence or another acceptable form of identification can apply for a free voter ID document.
According to a new parliamentary report, it is estimated that up to 3.5m voters across the UK do not have an accepted form of ID. But, as of last week, just 291 people had applied for the Voter Authority Certificate in Manchester.
