Veteran Tory councillor says ID scheme for Gosport elections '˜keeps democracy safe'
It was announced on Saturday that Gosport Borough Council will be one of five authorities used for a trial in next year’s local elections.
Under the trial, voters will be required to produce a form of ID before being given a ballot paper. Both photo and non-photo ID will be accepted.
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Hide AdLong-serving Tory councillor Peter Edgar backed the scheme, stating it would ‘keep democracy safe.’
He cited previous elections in the 80s and 90s at Rowner where allegations were expressed that a number of votes may have been false as a number of residents moved out but remained on the electoral register.
Cllr Edgar said: ‘In these days when we are all worried about extremists destroying democracy, I believe this experiment is welcome.
‘With hardly a day going by without people having to show ID, this will be seen as a success and help to keep elections far and democracy safe.’