CAMPAIGNERS say asking voters to provide ID at polling stations risks “dividing democracy”.

Braintree Council is one of ten local authorities taking part in a voter ID trial during tomorrow's (May 2) elections.

The trial means anyone living in the Braintree district intending to vote must bring some form of ID with them to polling stations.

The pilot scheme has been rolled out by the Cabinet Office in an apparent crackdown on voter fraud and if successful, could be used in future elections.

However, the Electoral Reform Society, which campaigns to put voters at the front of British democracy, says there is insufficient evidence to suggest the trial is even needed and it may actually prove harmful.

Director of policy and research Jess Garland said: “Forcing all voters to show their papers at the polling station is a solution looking for a problem. Across the UK there were just eight allegations of ‘impersonation’ last year – the type of fraud voter ID is supposed to target.

Yet the Government are failing to deal with the real democratic problems we face, from dangerous loopholes allowing foreign donations and interference to worryingly low turnout in council elections.

“Most electoral offences are committed by parties rather than voters. Yet it is innocent voters who lose out when the Government locks ordinary people out of democracy – and millions risk being excluded from our politics because of these plans.

“The proposed changes to voter ID laws that are being trialled by the Government risk further dividing our democracy. Ministers should scrap this costly policy before wasting any more time on this dangerous distraction.”

The Cabinet Office has dismissed the claims made by the society and insists the pilot scheme will not lead to a decline in voter turnout.

A spokesman said: “Electoral fraud is an unacceptable crime that strikes at a core principle of our democracy – that everyone’s vote matters.

“Showing ID to vote is a reasonable way to stop this and is something people already do every day, when they pick up a parcel at the Post Office, claim their benefits, or take out a library book.”