Greater Manchester went to the polls today for its near-annual tradition of selecting councillors. Although the world of local government is complicated enough, there was another layer of complexity today.
It's the first time photographic identification has been required to vote in an English council election. In the run-up to polling day, politicians have questioned the motivation behind introducing ID, and the Electoral Commission has spent heavily on advertising the new law.
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With a political storm brewing, and fears voters would be turned away in their droves, Greater Mancunians went to the polls. But the electorate at two of the region’s polling stations - in Failsworth and Crumpsall - were nonplussed about the new legislation.
“There’s no problem,” said Jeanette Thornton, who voted in the Failsworth West election. “I do not have to bring my polling card like I normally do.”
Voters in Crumpsall, electing councillors for Manchester, shared Jeanette’s feeling.
“It makes no difference,” said Vijay Kaur, who said he used his driving licence to vote. Mary Mahon agreed: “It does not bother me.”
However, the 65-year-old Ms Mahon said she ‘could not work out why they’ introduced the change. Another man, Efe, voted in Failsworth Town Hall.
“It does not give that freedom,” he said, having used his driving licence to cast his ballot. “I don’t why they should include it. It’s about freedom of choice, is voting, so I do not know what kind of information they need [to have to make that choice.”
There were some people in favour of the move though. Fouzia Shazad, in Crumpsall, said: “It’s fine. I think it's a lot easier, and it’s more secure. It works well in other countries.”
Paul Jarvis, 37, voted in Failsworth East. He said: “It’s a good idea. It stops all the voter fraud.
“I would want them to the legislation to get rid of postal votes. I used a voter certificate as I lost my passport, it was really easy to do.”
The Electoral Commission has reported that ‘in the past 5 years, there is no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud’.
Of the 1,386 cases of alleged electoral fraud reported to police between 2018 and 2022, nine led to convictions and the police issued six cautions. Last year, 179 cases of voter fraud were recorded in English, Welsh, and Scottish local elections.
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