Council leaders urge ministers to delay plans for photo ID at May elections

Voters risk being turned away and organisers need more time to prepare, argue critics of the new measures

Plans to force voters to present photo ID at polling stations for the first time in May risk damaging access to democracy and must be delayed, senior local government figures have warned ministers.

Amid concerns about voters being turned away and polling station workers being confronted, the body representing councils told the Observer there was simply not enough time to deal with all the risks that will be created by the new system.