SCORES of voters are furious as the Government’s controversial new ID scheme has seen them be unable to cast their ballot in today’s local elections.

Reports on social media say there have been issues in the five areas where trials of a new system are in place, where you need to bring proof of your identity.

13 Theresa May and her husband Philip turn up to vote in central London earlier this morning Credit: AFP

13 Peter White, who was turned away from a polling station fin Bromley, said it was ‘a nonsense scheme they're putting in place’ Credit: Independent

MPs and councillors have said people, including elderly residents, are being turned away from polling stations in Bromley, Gosport, Swindon, Watford and Woking.

Peter White, who has been voting in the UK since 1967, told the Independent he was shocked to discover that because he doesn't have a bank card or passport he could not cast his vote in the local elections.

Speaking outside a polling station in Penge, Mr White said: "I've come to vote today and they've told me I can't, even though they know me down here.

“They won't let me in. It's shocking. This is a nonsense scheme they're putting in place."

13

Angela Wilkins, leader of the Labour group in Bromley, said five people have been unable to vote and that the scheme is also causing long delays, tweeting: "So why are we doing this?"

And Ellie Reeves, Labour MP for Lewisham West and Penge, posted: "Just been to vote. Was informed that two people had already turned up without ID this morning so had been unable to vote.

"Very worrying and backs up all the evidence that the voter ID pilot in Bromley is plain wrong."

Finnegan Pope-Carter and his wife Dr Chrys Harris were both refused when they arrived to vote in Shipley, near Bradford this morning, which isn't even part of the voter ID trial.

13 Hazel Walters, a resident of Bromley since 1983, said the scheme was ‘absurd’ saying it ‘will discriminate against people’ Credit: The Inderpendent

13 But a presiding officer in Bromley said residents had been made aware of the trial in five different ways before polling day Credit: The Independent

Were you turned away from a polling station today because you didn’t have the right ID? We want to hear from you – contact Emma Glanfield on emma.glanfield@thesun.co.uk and tell us your story

He was eventually allowed to vote after fetching his driving licence from his car, but, Dr Harris was refused multiple times.

She said: “I didn't have my polling card or a photo ID on me. I told them repeatedly that I did not need them either. They refused and said I did.”

Adding: “I stood my ground and finally they rang a superior who said I was allowed a ballot.”

In response a spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We apologise to the very small number of voters concerned who were asked to provide ID to vote in one Shipley polling station today.

“We were alerted to the matter early this morning and it was dealt with immediately.

“To confirm, there is no requirement for voters to provide ID to cast a vote and a further message has been issued to all polling staff."

Just been round the C Palace polling stations. 5 people not able to vote due to #voterID pilot and several walked away because of queues @CatSmithMP @labour4bromley . So why are we doing this .@LBBromley ? — Cllr Angela Wilkins (@angelawilkins1) May 3, 2018

Just been to vote. Was informed that two people had already turned up without ID this morning so had been unable to vote. Very worrying and backs up all the evidence that the voter ID pilot in Bromley is plain wrong. — Ellie Reeves (@elliereeves) May 3, 2018

13 Praying for a miracle? Jezza holds his hands together and hopes for the best after casting his own vote Credit: HANNAH MCKAY

13 Voters are heading to the polls across the country today in these areas

Labour councillor Tahir Aziz said a man was turned away from voting at a polling station on Walton Road in Woking because his form of ID, a Surrey County Council document with his picture on it, was not accepted.

He said: "This gentleman turned up, showed his ID which included a picture that was clearly him, it was an exact resemblance, but they wouldn't accept it as it was not on the list of acceptable forms of ID.

"He was fuming. He was furious. He is a British national and he couldn't vote.

"It is having an impact on certain people being disenfranchised by this trial."

Brits will cast their ballots in 156 areas across the country today, to vote in councillors, local mayors and one MP in Northern Ireland.

The local elections will be the latest sign of whether Mrs May or Jeremy Corbyn is in the political driving seat, one year on from the General Election where the PM lost her majority.

Today the presiding officer at a polling station in Bromley said "only a very small percentage" of voters had forgotten or were unable to provide ID.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said residents had received five pieces of information explaining the change in the rules, including leaflets and a note with their polling cards.

Normally people only had to walk into a polling station and give their name and address to vote, which the Government said was open to voter fraud.

The Prime Minister's spokesperson said this afternoon that the "overwhelming majority of people are casting their vote without a problem."

13 People on Twitter told the stories of seeing others being turned away from voting

13 Make sure to take your ID if you're living in Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Watford or Slough Credit: PA:Press Association

In the trial areas residents now have to bring with them photo ID, which ministers say will "improve the security and the resilience of the electoral system that underpins our democracy".

Voters have been told to bring their polling card, or photo ID such as a driving licence or passport. Watford will accept a valid credit or debt card, and Working will accept a bus pass.

Gosport and Bromley require a poll card or TWO forms of ID, including one with your address on it.

The new plans have been criticised by opposition parties, campaigners and charities, with Electoral Reform Society calling it "deeply flawed".

And Labour’s shadow minister Cat Smith said today’s issues were “proof that voter ID has no place in our democracy”.

13 Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson casting his vote at Charing Cross this morning Credit: PA:Press Association

13 Lib Dem boss Vince Cable and his wife Rachel prepare to vote in Twickenham Credit: Rex Features

Luna’s first trip to a polling station! Open until 10pm. You can find out details about where your nearest polling station is here: https://t.co/FX4Wl4qqQa #PollingDay #Dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/FSRVhZr8XC — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) May 3, 2018

Hazel Walters, a resident of Bromley since 1983, said: "It's absurd. I think it will discriminate against people.

“Not everyone's got a passport, a driving licence and all of that. I think people will be disenfranchised.”

In response an Electoral Commission spokeswoman said: "Returning Officers administering the elections in the pilot areas have run awareness campaigns to inform voters of what form of identification they need to bring in order to be able to vote.

"We encourage anyone who has queries about the pilots to contact their local council's electoral services department.

“Polling stations are open until 10pm."

13 One polling station you can't miss - The Bank View Cafe in Sheffield, where voters will be picking a new metro mayor Credit: PA:Press Association

13 Some excited voters get engaged with democracy at a station in London Credit: REUTERS

Both parties have suffered bad publicity in recent weeks, as the Government has been criticised over the Windrush scandal and Labour struggles to tackle anti-Semitism.

So the two leaders will both be keen to put in a strong performance at the polls this week, with 4,370 seats up for grabs.

The polls opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, although if there’s a queue at the polling station you can still vote after 10 as long as you arrived before the deadline.

This year some areas will also see the first trials of councils requiring voters to show ID before casting their ballot.

Here's how to find out who is running in your area.

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It’s likely to be a good night for Labour, since they tend to do better in urban areas than the Tories.

Labour are targeting boroughs in the capital including Barnet - which has been a Tory council since the 1960s - as well as strongholds in Wandsworth and Westminster.

Labour is also targeting councils currently under no overall control including Stockport, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Dudley, Walsall and North-East Lincolnshire.

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And the demise of Ukip as a political force gives the Conservatives hope of making gains in areas that back Brexit.

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