The deadline for applying for voter ID is 9 days before the local government elections, so if the polling officer is not satisfied that a passport or driving licence picture is not a satisfactory likeness, yuo can in theory lose your right to vote for not getting a new passport before each election.

This can be overcome by installing the same e-gate technology at polling stations as in airports - wasting billions on this is better than a single voter being turned away.

Alternatively, polling stations need to open at least ten days before elections so anyone whose appearance appears 'wrong' can get a voter ID card in time. This would, of course mean closing some schools for two weeks, but better that than denying people the right to vote.