For the first time, residents in the Maldon district will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year's local elections on May 4.

The new requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was introduced by the UK Government's Elections Act, passed last year, which comes into effect in May. 

Paul Dodson, Returning Officer at Maldon District Council, said: "It is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.

"Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Maldon District Council's electoral services team."

Accepted forms of ID include:

• A UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
• A UK, EEA, or Commonwealth drivers' licence
• Some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card
• Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo

However, the move has been met with concern from two cross-party Parliamentary committees. The Joint Committee on Human Rights warned the requirement "may have a discriminatory impact on certain groups with protected characteristics who are less likely to hold any form of photo ID, including older people and people with disabilities".

Meanwhile, the Commons' Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee said: "Introducing a compulsory voter ID requirement risks upsetting the balance of our current electoral system, making it more difficult to vote and removing an element of the trust inherent in the current system."

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID online or by completing a paper form. Those needing help applying for the free ID, or who want to request an application form, should contact the council's electoral services team via email.

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID.

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It takes five minutes to register online. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

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