The Cost of Living crisis is not only forcing difficult decisions to be made between heating and eating but with fees behind obtaining a photo ID to vote, many are feeling their right to take part in elections is being traded for a commodity.
As of December, showing a photo ID at polling stations in the UK became mandatory to lessen cases of identity fraud in voting.
One deputy leader at Coventry City Council, Abdul Khan, told the BBC that residents may look to conserve their earnings to support their households rather than having to pay to rexercise their right to vote.
Those without a typical photographic ID, such as passport or drivers license, will need to expense photographs themselves for a free voter card.
“We want elections to be free so people can take part regardless of their financial ability” Khan said.
Conservative ministers and the election commission poured scepticism over photo IDs not being fully secure, accessible or workable and said it would treat the Spring May election with as a “learning opportunity” to determine if the benefits outweighed the inefficiencies with people voters expected to be turned away without the right ID credentials.
