What will happen in the polling station?

Only the Presiding Officer and Poll Clerk at the polling station can inspect the electors photographic identification.

The polling station staff will first check whether the elector is listed on the register of electors for that polling station (we are advising electors continue to take their poll cards to the polling station which will assist the polling station staff is locating their name on the electoral register). Once the polling station staff have found the elector on the register of electors, they will then ask the elector to present their acceptable form of photographic identification. The polling station staff will then proceed to check the photographic identification provided resembles a likeness to the elector and check that the name matches on the register of electors.

Where the polling station staff are satisfied the photographic identification resembles the elector, a ballot paper will be issued to the elector to cast their vote.

Where the polling station staff are not satisfied the photographic identification resembles the elector, no ballot paper(s) will be issued and instead the polling station staff will be required to log and record the reason for refusal along with the elector number. The elector can return to the polling station and provide another form of photographic identification and the above process will be repeated to check it’s likeliness.

All polling stations will also be required to have a private area for the checking of photographic identification if the elector requests so.