Extra staff drafted in to handle new voter ID rules on polling day

The Electoral Commission said there has been a huge training drive in order to prevent queues at polling stations.

The new rules will be in effect for the first time for local elections next month (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Extra polling station staff will be drafted in to help next month as the Government introduces its new voter ID rules, the Electoral Commission said, amid fears the policy could leave people disenfranchised.

The agency’s director of communications, Craig Westwood, said there has been a months-long training drive to ensure voters are supported in navigating the requirement to show photo identification.

The Government’s new policy means people must not only be registered to vote but also take a form of ID such as a passport or driving licence when they head to their local polling station on May 4.