Home Immigration News Anger over new election rules that ‘could put immigrants off voting’

Anger over new election rules that ‘could put immigrants off voting’

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Author: Harley Tamplin

Ethnic minority communities could be disenfranchised by new rules requiring voters to prove their identities at the ballot box. Fears over the new rules were raised by the equalities and human rights watchdog in a leaked letter to the Government.

Its policy, which will partially come into force for next month’s local elections, could deter immigrants from voting, the Observer reported. The letter reportedly says there is a risk legal residents who may not have a passport or driving licence may be disenfranchised. It follows anger over the Windrush generation scandal, which has seen long-time British residents fear deportation and have issues accessing healthcare.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: ‘Forcing voters at election time to prove their identity at polling stations by producing official documents would have a disproportionate impact on people from black and ethnic minority communities. ‘It is the same hostile environment all over again, shutting our fellow citizens out of public life, treating communities who made Britain their home as second-class citizens. It’s disgraceful and it must be brought to an end.’

 

Many of the Windrush generation have no record of their status and have found it challenged under recent laws requiring them to provide proof of near-continuous residence. Landing card slips recording their arrival into Britain from the Caribbean were destroyed several years ago by the Home Office.

Source: http://metro.co.uk/2018/04/22/anger-new-election-rules-put-immigrants-off-voting-7487340/

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