Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 29 January 2023

HINCKLEY and Bosworth residents looking to cast their votes at the local elections in May will have to bring their photo ID with them to polling stations for the first time.

The new requirement has been recently introduced by the UK Government. Many forms of photographic ID are being accepted, such as blue badges, passports, driving licences, bus passes, and voter authority certificates.

The rule affects all local elections, including Police and Crime Commissioner and Parliamentary by-elections, and recall elections.

It has been stressed that the ID doesn’t even have to be in date – as long as the photograph and name on it matches up to the resident looking to make the vote.

But, only original copies can be accepted. This means that paper photocopies or images will not be allowed – and voters who show up with these will be turned away.

Those who do not yet have an accepted form of photographic ID still have a total of 12 weeks to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) which will allow them to cast their ballot.

Applicants can sign up for the card through a portal on the Government website, upload a recent photo, and enter their National Insurance Number. The deadline to apply by is 5pm on Tuesday, 25 April.

Once voters receive their VAC card, this will be accepted at any future elections for 10 years, where they will then have to re-apply.

Residents looking to vote need to be registered on the electoral register – something which can also be done on the Government website, if they are not already signed up.

Borough and parish council elections will take place on Thursday, 4 May 2023, with all Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) and all borough-area parish council seats being contested.