Photo ID is now compulsory in England for voters which must be shown before you are given the ballot paper

Anyone who is to vote at the local elections must show photo ID when arriving at local polling stations.

A passport, driving licence, blue badge and other forms of identity cards will be accepted such as defence ID cards, biometric residents permits, and identity cards issued by the EU.

The Electoral Commission director of communications, Craig Westwood, said, “Anyone voting at a polling station in England will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper.

“Before you head to the polling station, don’t forget to check your bag, wallet, or pocket to make sure you have the ID you need to vote.

“Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. If you don’t remember your ID when you arrive at a polling station, you can return with it later in the day.”

Professor Sir John Curtice, a polling expert, told the BBC there was “perhaps… a little bit of a partisan shadow about the way in which it has been implemented” as young people are “more inclined to vote Labour these days.”

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said, “If you’re one of the 2% who doesn’t have suitable ID and forgot to apply for a free voter authority certificate, you can still vote by appointing a proxy — who must have the correct photo ID.

“As late as 5pm on Thursday, polling day, you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.

“There really is no excuse to give up your democratic rights.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters on Wednesday, “I don’t want to see anybody turning up not knowing that they needed ID, because the Government bore full responsibility for making sure that everybody who can vote knows they have got to bring that ID.

“We will be watching very carefully tomorrow to see where responsibility lies.”

Peter Stanyon, chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, “The only leeway is they have got to be satisfied that the photo is a likeness.

“If someone turns up at the polling station without the ID or the wrong type of ID, they are duty bound to actually say we cannot give you the ballot paper unless you return with the correct form of ID before close of poll.”