Voters’ fraud, especially in the ethnic minority dominated areas of East London, like Tower Hamlet, Barking, Walthamstow, as well as Birmingham has prompted Government to experiment with photo ID cards for certain areas prone to such frauds. In common with increasing crimes and decreasing moral standards, it is inevitable that voters’ fraud will affect some areas, especially where there is stiff rivalry between two candidates from the same culture, similar background where winning the election becomes personal crusade and matter of pride.
Some fear that asking for photo ID at polling stations may put-off some voters and some, especially older generation may not have photo ID. This may affect voters’ turnout which is indeed low, especially at local elections. In this day and age, hardly any one lacks photo ID, as such ID is needed everywhere, including opening bank and building society accounts. In fact most people have several photo IDs and that include passport, driving licence, freedom pass and membership of professional bodies as well as union membership.
Yet, it is possible that a very tiny minority among older generation may not have such identity. As most Councils have shown willingness to help these people, it is a step in the right direction. So the forth-coming local election in May will indeed be a test. If turnout fell significantly in these wards, then government should carry-out in-depth investigation and act accordingly. In any case it is better to have a lower but honest turn-out than swell voters’ figure with fraud. The best solution is to make voting compulsory, as is the case in many progressive countries like Australia, NZ, South Korea, Singapore and many more. But as usual, we are the last to adopt new, progressive ideas!
Kumudini Valambia
By email
