A prominent Highland MSP has been forced to prove his identity so that he can vote.
For the past 10 years Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross has voted by post.
But when he tried to register under a new system that has been introduced, the Electoral Registration Office (ERO) was unable to match up his National Insurance number.
Mr Gibson – convener of the Scottish Parliament’s rural affairs, climate change and environment committee – has been forced to provide further proof of identity, and is still waiting to see if his application has been accepted.
While he accepts there may be a humorous side of a parliamentarian having to prove his identity to vote, Mr Gibson said his problem highlights a more serious concern.
He said the tone of the letter he received from Inverness-based ERO and assessor Bill Gillies was “threatening” and may deter people from registering to vote.
He was given 12 days to provide further proof of identity such as a birth certificate and warned: “Failure to provide this evidence by the required date may result in me rejecting your application for registration.”
Mr Gibson said: “Surely this new regime introduced by UK electoral law could act to reduce the numbers who register when such time limited instructions are issued?”
Mr Gillies said he could not discuss any individual application, but that there was currently a transition period between moving from a system of household to individual registration.
As part of that he was required to verify identity with the Department of Work and Pensions, and when that was not possible seek some other identity check.
Mr Gillies said anyone who was registered for the independence referendum would not lose their entitlement to vote in the general election even if there were problems verifying identity.
“All such letters which have been issued share elements with templates that have been written by the Electoral Commission,” he said.
“While these additional requirements may appear to offer an additional burden on a prospective elector, it should recognised that other elements of the new system go some way to make registration easier for many people, such as the ability to register online.”