THE trial to introduce voter ID at polling booths in last May’s local elections was a success, according to a report by the Electoral Commission.

An evaluation of the scheme, which trialled the introduction of a voter ID at five areas across the UK, found little evidence of a negative impact on the number of voters.

It found only 0.06 per cent of voters were turned away because they did not meet the new ID requirements and more than 80 per cent of voters said they were aware they had to take ID with them to the polling station on the day.

Craig Westwood, director of communications and Research at the Electoral Commission, said: “From the experience of voters to the staff delivering the pilots, the broad picture is a positive one.”

“The next test of voter identification will be to run similar pilots in areas that capture different demographics across Great Britain.

“The UK Government should ensure that a wider range of local councils run pilots in 2019 to ensure there is more evidence as to the impact voter identification could have on different groups of people.”

In June barristers from London firm Blackstone issued a legal challenge to the scheme, saying ministers at the Cabinet Office acted beyond the scope of the law in ordering the trial of compulsory ID.

Charities raised concerns it would put off more vulnerable and marginalised groups disproportionately, such as elderly people and the homeless.