Some areas tested voter ID systems last week during the local elections

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They claimed the true figure was more likely to be in the low hundreds and most of those affected did vote successfully in local elections after returning with proper identification.

In Swindon, one of five test areas, just 60 people were refused a ballot paper, 35 of whom came back. In Gosport, Hampshire, 116 voters were stopped at the first attempt but 72 later returned with identification.

Similar results in other areas would mean the total number was under 400. Voters in Bromley, south-east London, Woking, Surrey, and Watford also took part.

The Electoral Reform Society released analysis of electoral observer data on Friday estimating that nearly 4,000 would-be voters were rejected.