§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many voters were turned away from polling stations in Northern Ireland at the recent European parliamentary elections for not having valid photographic identification. [179494]
196W
§ Mr. Spellar2,622 electors were originally turned away having arrived at a polling station without valid photographic identification. 1,123 of those electors subsequently returned before the close of poll with an alternative, correct form of ID and were able to cast their vote. The remainder of this total—1,499 electors—were unable to vote because of a failure to produce valid identification.
The totals recorded are as follows.
Constituency Number originally turned away for invalid ID Number of these not returning Belfast East 106 69 Belfast North 113 68 Belfast South 92 46 Belfast West 157 82 East Antrim 96 57 East Londonderry 143 86 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 200 108 Foyle 218 114 Lagan Valley 93 55 Mid Ulster 233 138 Newry and Armagh 200 108 North Antrim 224 134 North Down 81 54 South Antrim 124 74 South Down 145 86 Strangford 103 58 Upper Bann 151 71 West Tyrone 143 91 Total 2,622 1,499