he government It has been warned that with the return of the controversial new law to the House of Commons, there is no evidence to justify the introduction of a “draconian” plan for voter ID cards.
The election bill will return to debate Congressman On Tuesday, civil society and campaign groups will also submit a petition with more than 292,000 signatures Downing Street Oppose the plan to compel voter ID cards.
According to the most controversial content of the bill, voters will be required to show their approved photo ID before picking up the ballot and going to the polling station to vote.
These regulations will apply to general elections across the UK-although similar measures are already in place Northern Ireland Since 2003.
The City Council will provide free voter cards to people who do not have the appropriate ID.
But activists claim that members of Congress have not considered the impact of the proposal on voters and parliament, and that this move may deprive more than 2 million voters of their rights.
They say that groups including first-time voters, older voters, disabled people, and black, Asian, and minority voters may be most affected-polls also show voters in the north U.K Will be more affected than in the South.
But the government said the bill would strengthen the integrity of the election.
Secretary of the Cabinet Office Chloe Smith said: “Voters must have confidence that not only their votes are their own, but their voices, their voices are heard, and their votes are important.
“The Election Bill keeps our elections free and fair, and will ensure that democracy throughout Britain continues to flourish.”
However, Jack McCarty, the co-founder of the grassroots voting rights organization #HandsOffOurVote, said these proposals will make voting more difficult.
He said: “Many people in the UK don’t have a photo ID at all, and it’s not free. This will create barriers for many groups that have been deprived of their rights, including BAME voters, the disabled, the homeless and the elderly. .”
Dr. Jess Garland, Director of Policy and Research at the Electoral Reform Association, said: “We know that more than 2 million voters lack identifiable identification documents — the government’s own data has confirmed this. This is the biggest change in voting for generations. This poses a huge risk to democracy and equality.
“There is no evidence that such a draconian plan might deprive voters of their rights on an industrial scale. Although the ministers promised to provide “free” IDs, we have not yet seen the details. The committee that requested the expansion would both provide a new ID and become a voter. The bodyguard of the box presents a huge risk.
“It is vital that all members of Congress and colleagues must listen to the concerns raised, support voting rights and challenge this dangerous legislation head-on.”
The government stated that the bill will also strengthen the fight against intimidation of voters by improving and updating the crime of improper influence in the election law.
Those convicted for intimidating political candidates, candidates and elected representatives will also be subject to stricter sanctions, prohibiting the perpetrators from running for elected office within five years.
It also needs political campaign content promoted online by political parties, candidates or activists to clearly indicate who is behind the scenes.
Ms. Smith is expected to tell members of Congress that “election fraud at any level and under any circumstances will threaten people’s confidence in our elections and the structure of our democracy.”
