Pendle News Room

On Thursday 2 May elections will be held to elect borough, parish and town councillors.

If you’re planning to go to the polling station to vote in person or on behalf of someone else, you’ll need to show an approved form of photo ID before you’re given your ballot paper.

•             Passport (UK, EU or Commonwealth)

•             UK, EU or Crown Dependency Photocard Driving Licence (including provisional)

•             European Economic Area Identity Card

•             UK Biometric Immigration Document

•             PASS Identity Card (national proof of age scheme)

•             Ministry of Defence Identity Card

•             Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card

•             Blue Badge Scheme Photocard Parking Permit

•             Concessionary travel pass funded by government such as a railcard or bus pass

•             Oyster 60+ pass

Don’t worry, if you don’t have photo ID you can apply for a free Local Electoral Card!

From mid-March you’ll be able to do this a number of ways:

• Online

Complete or download a form from our website - www.pendle.gov.uk/voterID 

• In person

Collect and complete a form from Nelson Town Hall

• By telephone or email  

            Request a form from our Elections Team who will post it to you. Call 01282 661201 or email elections@pendle.gov.uk

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council’s Corporate Director and Returning Officer, said: “Our pilot will tackle well documented concerns around fraudulent behaviour in relation to postal and proxy voting in Pendle.

“It will also test the proposed requirement of showing photo ID at polling stations to ensure the Government has the insight it needs to make voter ID work for everybody.”

Councillor Paul White, Leader of Pendle Council added: “We’re pleased to be involved at this early stage to help shape how voter ID may be taken forward in future.”

To tackle potential postal vote fraud locally, random checks will be made to ensure that people did vote themselves and there was no fraud or undue pressure put on them.

Gill Turpin, Elections Manager, said: “Don’t forget that to have your say in the local elections in May you need to apply to register to vote by midnight on Friday 12 April.

“If your name isn’t included on the register, you won’t be able to vote or apply for a Local Electoral Card.”

You can check the electoral register in Number One Market Street, Nelson or view it at Nelson, Colne and Barnoldswick libraries.

Alternatively, call the elections office on (01282) 661662 or email elections@pendle.gov.uk and staff in our Elections Team will check it for you.

For more information about what photo ID you need to bring or applying for a Local Electoral Card, call 01282 661201 or go to www.pendle.gov.uk/voterID