General election: Voters urged to register and check ID ahead of General Election

It’s four weeks until voters head to the polls in the General Election on July 4 – with thousands of staff gearing up to run polling stations.

Electoral chiefs are urging people to ensure they are aware of key deadlines and new rules for casting their votes, such as bringing photographic ID.

It’s the first time a form of photo identification has been needed in Scotland at the ballot box.

People who have not yet registered to vote in the General Election, or are not sure if they are eligible, have until 11.59pm on June 18 to submit an application.

Meanwhile applications to vote by post are set to be popular with the school holidays in swing – those need to be submitted by 5pm on June 19.

Andy O’Neill is head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland.

He told STV News: “Returning officers across 32 councils are frantically putting their plans in place.

“Thousands are employed across Scotland and before, so you’ll be able to vote come 7am on Thursday July 4.

“It takes a massive amount of work. A lot goes into it – I know people spend a lifetime doing this sort of stuff.

“We are trying to ensure everyone is aware of the deadlines with a public awareness campaign in the media.”

Photo ID rules were brought in as part of the Elections Act 2022, with the Government saying they were necessary to combat the risk of in-person voter fraud.

All voters intending to cast a ballot will not only need to be registered but also show a form of ID at the polling station under new rules.

The requirements were first enforced at last year’s local elections in England.

Not all types of photo ID will be accepted, but a passport, driving licence, blue badge or a National Entitlement Card for over-60s are valid.

Anyone without the correct identification will need to apply for a voter authority certificate by 5pm on June 26, which can be done online at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Edinburgh is one of the largest counts in Scotland – and council bosses say they’re ready to spring into action.

Chief executive Andrew Kerr said: “We need nearly 1,000 staff to man stations and nearly a thousand to count the votes at Ingliston.

“All of that has to be organised and we need to make sure people who are going to stand have all the administration they need to make that happen.

“We have been preparing since the beginning of the year. My team are one of the best in the country so I’m confident they’ll be ready.”

He added: “Get out and vote. This is your change to have a say about who runs our country.”

People can register to vote or find out more at gov.uk/registertovote.