HUNDREDS of people across the Bradford district did not return to vote after being turned away at the polling station at the recent General Election, figures show.

Since May 2023, voters have needed to show photo ID to vote in UK parliamentary elections, and for local elections and referendums in England.

The move has proved controversial, with some groups saying it may make voting harder for younger people and ethnic minorities, who are less likely to have a valid form of photo ID.

New statistics from the Electoral Commission show 170 voters were initially turned away from polling stations in Bradford South due to ID rules in July's General Election.

While 112 of these returned to vote, 58 did not.

In Bradford West, 264 voters were initially turned away from polling stations due to ID rules.

While 164 of these returned to vote, 100 did not.

Meanwhile, in Bradford East, 243 voters were initially turned away from polling stations due to ID rules.

While 162 of these returned to vote, 81 did not.

In Shipley, 78 voters were initially turned away from polling stations due to ID rules.

While 56 of these returned to vote, 22 did not.

And in Keighley and Ilkley, 127 voters were initially turned away from polling stations.

While 81 of these returned to vote, 46 did not.

Across Great Britain, 50,000 people were initially turned away due to not having valid ID, with 16,000 people not returning to vote, according to the Electoral Commission.

Polling for the organisation suggests 71 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds were aware of the rules, compared to 91 per cent for those aged 45 and over.

In addition, 76 per cent of people from ethnic minority communities were aware of the rules, compared to 90 per cent of white people.

Electoral Commission chief executive, Vijay Rangarajan, said: "This was the first time all voters across the UK were required to show photographic ID at a General Election, and the data shows almost everyone was able to do so successfully.

"Public awareness of the need for voter ID is high across the UK, but there are still groups of voters that are less likely to be aware of the need to show ID or that do not have an accepted form."

Labour election manifesto committed to "addressing the inconsistencies in voter ID rules that prevent legitimate voters from voting".