A provocative poster designed to encourage people from ethnic minorities to vote will be displayed on billboards in London and Manchester in the run-up to the EU referendum.

The ad shows an aggressive white ‘thug’ and a south Asian woman wearing a sari sitting on a see-saw, and was produced by advertising giant Saatchi and Saatchi for campaign group Operation Black Vote.

The poster's slogan “a vote is a vote” is an answer to "the demonisation of foreigners and people of colour” in the Brexit debate, said the group in a statement.

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However, some were quick to criticise the poster, with UKIP leader Nigel Farage telling the BBC it was “disgusting” and the campaign group is “trying to divide society”.

Around 30 per cent of the four million black and ethnic minority people eligible to vote in the UK are not yet on the electoral register, compared to around 15 per cent of the overall voting population.

“These potential voters could easily decide one of the biggest questions of the last three decades - whether we remain in the EU or leave,“ said Simon Woolley, director of Operation Black Vote.

The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit Show all 7 1 /7 The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 22 May 2015 In his regular column in The Express Nigel Farage utilised the concerns over Putin and the EU to deliver a tongue in cheek conclusion. “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” PA The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 13 November 2015 UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Mike Hookem, was one of several political figures who took no time to harness the toxic atmosphere just moments after Paris attacks to push an agenda. “Cameron says we’re safer in the EU. Well I’m in the centre of the EU and it doesn’t feel very safe.” Getty Images The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 19 April 2016 In an article written for The Guardian, Michael Gove attempts to bolster his argument with a highly charged metaphor in which he likens UK remaining in the EU to a hostage situation. “We’re voting to be hostages locked in the back of the car and driven headlong towards deeper EU integration.” Rex The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 26 April 2016 In a move that is hard to decipher, let alone understand, Mike Hookem stuck it to Obama re-tweeting a UKIP advertisement that utilises a quote from the film: ‘Love Actually’ to dishonour the US stance on the EU. “A friend who bullies us is no longer a friend” The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 10 May 2016 During a speech in London former work and pensions secretary Ian Duncan Smith said that EU migration would cause an increasing divide between people who benefit from immigration and people who couldn’t not find work because of uncontrolled migration. “The European Union is a ‘force for social injustice’ which backs the ‘haves rather than the have-nots.” EPA The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 15 May 2016 Cartoon character Boris Johnson made the news again over controversial comments that the EU had the same goal as Hitler in trying to create a political super state. “Napoleon, Hitler, various people tried this out, and it ends tragically.” “The EU is an attempt to do this by different methods.” PA The most scaremongering arguments for Brexit 16 May 2016 During a tour of the women’s clothing manufacturer David Nieper, Boris had ample time to cook up a new metaphor, arguably eclipsing Gove’s in which he compares the EU to ‘badly designed undergarments.’ “So I just say to all those who prophecy doom and gloom for the British Business, I say their pants are on fire. Let’s say knickers to the pessimists, knickers to all those who talk Britain down.” Getty Images

“Perhaps the greatest thing about democracy is that one person's vote has no more value than another person's: A vote is a vote.”

The campaign is supposed to show that voting carries as much weight as the more vocal sides of the political spectrum, the group said.

The poster will be displayed on 37 electronic billboards before Britain goes to the polls on 23 June.

Stars such as Tinie Tempah, Sol Campbell and actor David Harewood appeared in a previous Operation Black Vote campaign with their faces painted white before last year's General Election.