Urgent calls have been made to pause the controversial roll-out of voter ID requirements for this May’s local elections, after it was revealed 118 people in Cheshire West and Chester have applied for the specialist paperwork needed to cast their vote.

The government has implemented new rules which means voters now have to present photo ID when casting their vote at the ballot box.

But anyone who does not have photo ID such as a passport or driving licence has to apply for something called a voter authority certificate. Applicants need their National Insurance number or other documents (which must be scanned in or uploaded), such as utility bill, council tax statement, birth certificate, and a passport-style photograph.

It will be each local authority’s responsibility to process applications and issue certificates in time, with the deadline for application set at April 25.

The government says the move is to stamp out electoral fraud, but opponents say it could deter some people from voting at all.

There are currently an estimated two million people without a valid form of photo ID nationally, but only around 21,300 have applied since the scheme was launched in January.

According to Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for weaver Vale, 118 people have so far applied across the borough. Speaking during a Commons debate, he called on the government to postpone the scheme.

He said: “ As of today, just 118 people have applied for the voter authority certificate in Cheshire West and Chester.

"I urge the Minister to apply some common sense to this. We have had debates on the principle of this, but can we pause the roll-out to ensure that we have integrity of the franchise for all?”

But Lee Rowley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said there would be no delay.

He told the Chamber: “As the honourable Gentleman outlines, it is important that we have integrity of the ballot box.

“I have explained multiple times why this is an important initiative to ensure that.

"If he has concerns about what is happening in Cheshire West and Chester, I encourage him to take it up with the leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, who has been given additional money to make sure that they communicate with those in hard-to-reach areas so that the May elections are successful.”

May 4's local elections will be the first where such ID has been required. It will also be required for future police and crime commissioner elections, general elections, recall petitions and parliamentary by-elections.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include: UK-issued passport or driving licence, bus pass, blue badge, PASS proof of age card.

A full list of acceptable photo ID can be found here. 

You can apply for a free voter authority certificate online here.