BASILDON Council is working with Essex Police to address fears of potential violence ahead of the May 4 elections – the first in the UK which will require photo ID.

National election administrators have been working with police to prepare for possible arguments and violence that may result from voters being turned away, the New Statesman reported earlier this week.

There are fears that voters without the correct ID may become frustrated, abusive and aggressive with polling station staff.

In Basildon, senior councillors have been liaising with police over contingency plans in the worst case scenario – however, they stress they do not “anticipate” violence.

Nethermayne councillor Kerry Smith said: “Potentially people who may have been at work all day, go in to vote late, and they find out they are not allowed to. My concern is it could kick off.

“We need to make sure that staff at the polling stations have all the help they may need.”

A Basildon Council spokesman says the authority will work with the police and train all staff on safety procedures if needed.

The spokesman added: “National and local campaigns have been raising awareness of the new requirement and the council’s website has full details on how to apply for voter ID.”  

Essex Police has confirmed it is ready to “respond proportionately” to any reports of tension or disruption on polling day.

Mr Smith, the Basildon independent group leader, believe the best way to head off any potential trouble is to increase efforts to inform residents of the new rules.

“In my opinion, the change in the rules has so far been badly publicised and that could cause problems on the day,” he said.

A recent poll by Omnsis asking voters if they were they aware they will need approved photo ID to vote found only 33 per cent of Britons knew.

The poll found that 33 per cent of 2019 Conservative voters were aware of the changes while 49 per cent of Labour voters were informed.

The government insists the rules have been introduced “protect the integrity of the ballot box”.

However, instances of voter fraud in the UK are very rare.

In elections between 2010 and 2018 just 181 people were accused of impersonating another individual at the polling station, according to Electoral Commission data.  

Over that period, only two people were convicted.

What do I need to vote on May 4 in the local elections?

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass.

Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo and the name on the ID should be the same name as appears on the Electoral Register.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/