Watford Borough Council has assured the public that the ID pilot will not impact on their ability to vote on election day.

Observer reader Mark Ryan warned it would be “unlawful” for people to show out of date documents when they go to vote in the mayoral and council elections on May 3.

He said voting rules on the council’s website clearly state that credit or debit cards must be “valid”, but new voter ID rules do not require the other documents listed to be either “valid” or current.

He believes voters will be able to produce an expired version – such as an old passport or driving licence - and still be legally entitled to vote.

Manny Lewis, managing director and returning officer for Watford Borough Council, responded that the names and initials on debit or credit cards just need to match in order for people to vote.

He said: “We have taken steps to ensure the ID pilot should not affect any voters.

“We have done a significant amount of communications to get the ‘bring your poll card’ message across and have also been engaging directly with local groups about the ID requirements.

“Part of our planning included an equality impact assessment, which has been scrutinised by the Cabinet Office, the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators and Watford’s cabinet.

"We are confident that our pilot, which focuses on the poll card as well as a range of alternative ID, will not impact on people’s ability to vote, including those from minority groups.”

Watford Labour were also concerned that some voters will be “disenfranchised” as a result of restrictive identification requirements.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission suggested this week that requiring people to prove their identity at polling stations will have a “disproportionate impact” on ethnic minority communities, older people, transgender people, and people with disabilities.

Watford Labour agent Mike Jackson says he has written to the Mr Lewis asking for equalities monitoring of all those refused a ballot paperthrough lack of ID.

Mr Jackson said: “I would have thought Watford would have wanted to collect this basic information to monitor whether there is disadvantage to groups listed in the Equalities Act.

“This could simply be done by asking those refused a ballot paper to complete an equalities monitoring form which is common practice.”

Mr Lewis replied: “Watford is following the legislation of the national pilot, which does not include reporting on the characteristics of people who do not bring their poll card or alternative ID.

“It would be inappropriate for polling staffs to decide and record the characteristics of voters. We are confident minority groups will not be disproportionately impacted.”

Find out more about the elections and voting here