The Medway Labour and Co-operative Group will be introducing a motion at the next Full Council calling on the government to allow local Councils to report on how many people are hindered from voting due to the new legislation aimed at making it more difficult to vote.

Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group said:

“Whatever personal views about the new requirements for photo identification, the fact that councils are not allowed to share how many people have been turned away from polling stations cannot be right.  I hope we see cross party agreement at our meeting on the 20th calling on Michael Gove to allow councils like Medway to share that information with local residents and councillors so we know what impact this new law has had on our local democracy.  If local residents don’t have photo identification they can either apply for a postal vote which doesn’t need identification or request from the council a voter authorisation certificate.”

ENDS