Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced an embarrassing moment yesterday when he was turned away from his local polling station for forgetting to bring an acceptable photo ID.
The incident occurred as Johnson attempted to cast his ballot in South Oxfordshire for the selection of a police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley region, as reported by Sky News.
Despite being the architect of the Elections Act, which mandates photo ID for voting, which was introduced in 2022 during his tenure at Downing Street, Johnson failed to comply with the legislation he championed.
Polling station staff instructed him to return with the necessary identification, underscoring the irony of the situation.
In a similar mishap, Tom Hunt, the Member of Parliament for Ipswich, found himself without appropriate ID to vote in the local council elections.
After realizing his oversight, Hunt sought assistance from local members, requesting an “emergency proxy” to preserve his voting rights.
The Electoral Commission had previously cautioned against the potential consequences of the voter ID law, warning that it could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of individuals, particularly those with disabilities and from minority ethnic backgrounds.
In the 2023 local elections, approximately 14,000 people could not vote due to a lack of acceptable ID.
Acceptable forms of photo ID for voting in England include passports, driving licenses, blue badges, and specific local travel cards. Despite the setback, Johnson’s spokesperson did not deny the incident, simply stating that “Mr Johnson voted Conservative.”
The episode highlights the challenges and controversies surrounding voter ID laws, with critics arguing that they disproportionately impact marginalized communities and hinder access to the democratic process.
Johnson’s experience serves as a reminder of the complexities and unintended consequences of his championed electoral legislation.
