Share
3rd May 2024
10:24am BST
Boris Johnson was reportedly turned away from his local polling station in South Oxfordshire after he failed to bring an acceptable form of photo identification.
The former prime minister was in office at Downing Street when the legislation requiring voters to bring an official form of identification with them in order to vote was passed, and the law came into effect for the first time during last May's local elections.
According to Sky News, Mr Johnson returned later in the day with an acceptable form of identification and was allowed to cast his ballot.
Earlier yesterday morning, the 59-year-old urged his followers on X/Twitter to get out and vote. He posted: "The polls are now open. Vote Conservative today!"
The polls are now open. Vote Conservative today!
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 2, 2024
The requirement for proof of identification to vote has been a controversial topic since it was first proposed in the House of Commons in July 2021.
According to the Electoral Commission, about 14,000 people were unable to vote in last year's local elections in England as a result of the new rules.
There are 22 acceptable forms of ID that will permit citizens to cast their ballot at their local polling station.
Among them are an official passport issued by the UK or any of it's dominions, a driving licence, a blue badge and an older person's bus pass.
People who are registered to vote can also apply for a free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
While ballots will be counted across most of the weekend and overall results will be come clear late Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, early results this morning indicate significant losses for the Conservative Party.
As it currently stands, the Conservative party is on course to lose up to 500 council seats, while the third largest Tory-to-Labour swing ever took place in Blackpool South as Labour surpassed Conservative votes by 26 points.
Related Links:
Explore more on these topics:
