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Electoral fraud: Voters will have to show ID in pilot scheme Electoral fraud: Pilot scheme for ID before voting defended
(about 1 hour later)
Voters will have to show proof of identity in a government pilot scheme aimed at reducing electoral fraud. Plans to demand proof of identity before voting in a bid to combat electoral fraud have been defended by ministers, amid criticism the move is a "sledgehammer to crack a nut".
Some councils in England, including Birmingham and Bradford, will trial the scheme at local elections in 2018. Councils in England, including Bradford and Birmingham, will trial the pilot scheme at local elections in 2018.
Constitution minister Chris Skidmore said the pilot would "ensure the integrity of our electoral system". The government said it would "ensure the integrity" of the electoral system.
But former London mayor Ken Livingstone said it was a "political" move and would make life more difficult for most people because of a handful of crimes. But campaigners said levels of fraud did not justify the move and one Labour MP said it would hit poorer voters.
A full list of the participating councils has not yet been drawn up, but 18 council areas in England identified by the Electoral Commission as being most susceptible to voter fraud will be invited to take part in the pilot.A full list of the participating councils has not yet been drawn up, but 18 council areas in England identified by the Electoral Commission as being most susceptible to voter fraud will be invited to take part in the pilot.
The 18 also include Luton, Slough, Woking, Coventry and Bristol.The 18 also include Luton, Slough, Woking, Coventry and Bristol.
Different local authorities will trial different types of photo ID, including driving licences, passports or utility bills to prove addresses. The creation of a new form of ID specifically for voting has been ruled out by ministers. Different local authorities will trial different types of ID, including driving licences, passports and utility bills. The creation of a new form of ID specifically for voting has been ruled out by ministers.
Northern Ireland already requires voters to show ID before casting their ballot. Northern Ireland already requires voters to show ID before casting their vote.
'Important transaction''Important transaction'
Mr Skidmore said fraud was unacceptable and he wanted to protect the rights of voters to have their say. Constitution minister Chris Skidmore said fraud of any kind was unacceptable and dismissed suggestions that the plans, which could be rolled out across the whole country if successful, could disenfranchise poor people who do not have ID.
He defended the plans, which could be rolled out across the whole country if successful, against allegations they could disenfranchise poor people who do not have ID.
He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "Voting is one of the most important transactions you can make as an individual. In many transactions you need a proof of ID."He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "Voting is one of the most important transactions you can make as an individual. In many transactions you need a proof of ID."
The pilot would test which form of ID worked best, he said. "I'm determined to ensure, when it comes to groups who are under-registered, that they get the opportunity to exercise their vote," he added.
Mr Skidmore added: "I'm determined to ensure, when it comes to groups who are under-registered, that they get the opportunity to exercise their vote.
"Ensuring those communities are protected, that the risks of electoral fraud are diminished, will ensure those individuals are represented fairly across this country.""Ensuring those communities are protected, that the risks of electoral fraud are diminished, will ensure those individuals are represented fairly across this country."
Pickles' plan
The reform was first touted by former cabinet minister Sir Eric Pickles in August, when he released recommendations amid growing concerns about electoral fraud.The reform was first touted by former cabinet minister Sir Eric Pickles in August, when he released recommendations amid growing concerns about electoral fraud.
He tweeted that the government was "right to give greater powers to electoral officials and the police to deal with intimidation and other unwanted behaviour".He tweeted that the government was "right to give greater powers to electoral officials and the police to deal with intimidation and other unwanted behaviour".
In his report, Sir Eric cited research suggesting certain Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities may be more vulnerable to fraud due to a lack of understanding of the voting process. 'Blunt instrument'
He also highlighted "kinship" traditions, saying they emphasised collective over individual rights and made it more likely that people would "hand over" their vote over to others. In his report, Sir Eric cited research suggesting certain Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities could be more vulnerable to fraud due to a lack of understanding of the voting process.
He highlighted "kinship" traditions, saying they emphasised collective over individual rights and made it more likely that people would "hand over" their vote over to others.
Mr Skidmore dismissed suggestions the new measures were targeted at any "particular community" but said it was essential people across the UK were able to fulfil their democratic rights "regardless of their race or their religion".Mr Skidmore dismissed suggestions the new measures were targeted at any "particular community" but said it was essential people across the UK were able to fulfil their democratic rights "regardless of their race or their religion".
Labour's shadow minister for voter engagement and youth affairs, Cat Smith, said the party supported the plan. The Electoral Reform Society, which campaigns for changes to the electoral system to make it "fairer", said the move was a "blunt instrument" that could deter people from voting.
However, she said more needed to be done to ensure eligible voters were registered after a change to the rules by the Conservatives in February meant people had to register as individuals, rather than as a household - a move that saw thousands of people drop off the register. "While we should take all instances of voter fraud very seriously where they occur, mandatory voter ID is a sledgehammer to crack a nut," chief executive Katie Ghose said.
"The government's priority should be to ensure the integrity of the system, but also to address the fact that under them hundreds of thousands of people have fallen off the register due to their unnecessarily rushed changes," she said. "The government should think very carefully before introducing barriers to voting.
"There is simply no evidence to suggest that electoral fraud is widespread across the UK. Where it has occurred it has been isolated and should be tackled locally."
'Not justified''Not justified'
Mr Livingstone, who was suspended from the Labour Party and is currently an independent, said the Conservative government was the driving force behind the idea. Labour said it supported the idea in principle but views varied among its MPs with Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, suggesting it was a "retrograde step" that was "more about combating low income voting" than tackling fraud.
Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, said he didn't have an issue with the idea as "most people carry ID".
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone, who was suspended from the Labour Party and is currently an independent, said it was a "political" move and would make life more difficult for most people because of a handful of crimes.
"The real problem is the people most likely not to have a passport or a driving licence are going to be the poorest and that I suspect will basically hit the Labour Party," he told Today."The real problem is the people most likely not to have a passport or a driving licence are going to be the poorest and that I suspect will basically hit the Labour Party," he told Today.
He continued: "It's really bad to make life more difficult for the vast majority of people when you're dealing with a handful of dodgy council people...
"If we had a real problem with fraud, as you've got in some dodgy countries around the world, it would be justified, but it really isn't."
Campaign group, the Electoral Reform Society, also expressed concerns that having to produce ID could "turn people off" from voting.
As well as the trials, election officials and police will be given new powers to tackle intimidation of voters by activists, who will also be banned from collecting postal votes for submission - a practice known as "harvesting".As well as the trials, election officials and police will be given new powers to tackle intimidation of voters by activists, who will also be banned from collecting postal votes for submission - a practice known as "harvesting".
And the government has said it is also considering plans to check the nationality of voters to stop fraudulent registrations. The government said it was considering plans to check the nationality of voters to stop fraudulent registrations.
There will also be reforms to improve the security of the postal ballot system, such as requiring postal voters to re-apply every three years. There will also be reforms to improve the security of the postal ballot system, including requiring postal voters to re-apply every three years.