The Conservative Party has apologised after distributing election leaflets in Norfolk telling people they did not need to take ID to polling stations when voting next week.
Hundreds of the flyers were put through voters' doors offering the incorrect guidance.
The leaflet, which was distributed to encourage people to vote Conservative, said: “You don’t need to take any ID in order to vote, so long as you are registered.”
In fact, for the first time in England, a form of identification is mandatory for all voters going to polling stations on May 4.
The error has been blamed on a national Conservative team who put together the leaflet.
Simon Jones, chairman of the Norwich Conservative Federation, said: “This was a centrally produced and printed leaflet, by Campaign Toolkit, with some customisable local content.
“Unfortunately, their content contained information which was out of date and did not reflect recent changes to voter ID.
“As a local Conservative Association, we delivered a small number of these before realising their mistake but suspended delivery as soon as the issue was identified.
“We apologise, unreservedly, to the residents that received these and will be contacting them to correct the error as quickly as possible.”
The ID policy was introduced by the Conservative government last year, with the promise that it would help tackle voter fraud.
READ MORE: Top council chief drops rap track asking voters to 'ID like a boss'
Opponents have argued that the level of fraud is low and that the policy will disenfranchise people who are unaware of the change and do not carry ID.
It is understood that around 200 of the incorrect leaflets have been put through the doors of voters in Norwich.
Jackie, an Eaton ward voter who received one, said: “It’s absolutely shocking, it will disenfranchise people who turn up without ID.
“This was a Tory policy that they introduced, it’s bizarre for them to then have this on their leaflets."
She has reported it to the team at Norwich City Council which oversees the elections.
READ MORE: All the candidates standing in the Norfolk 2023 local elections
City Hall confirmed they have passed it on to the Electoral Commission, which regulates elections nationally. 
Emma Corlett, deputy leader of Labour at County Hall, said: “This is really quite staggering.
“It’s a failure on three levels: firstly, by the election agent, who has one job to make sure what goes out on material is true.
“Secondly, by the candidates who should check every leaflet.
“And finally, by whoever delivered it.
“It’s their policy and it just adds to the confusion. There’s still a huge number of people that don’t know they need ID to vote and this will further confuse people. It’s staggeringly sloppy.”
Judith Lubbock, a Liberal Democrat city councillor for Eaton Ward, said: “It’s bitterly disappointing that this has gone out at a time when we really want to make people aware of the changes.
“I just can’t bear the thought of someone turning up without their ID.”
Lucy Galvin, leader of the Green group at Norwich City Council said: "The Conservatives brought in the new law requiring photo ID despite evidence this would disenfranchise younger people and people from minority ethnic backgrounds - and now it seems the Tories don't even know the rules themselves."
A Norwich City Council spokesperson said: “It’s incredibly important that everyone who wants to have their say in the Norwich City Council local election on Thursday 4 May, can do so. If you choose to vote in-person at a polling station, you will need to show photo ID from the government-approved list.
This new requirement, introduced by government, is a significant change it’s vital people are aware of.”
What SHOULD you do on voting day?
- If you are not voting by post, ID is essential for polling day on May 4.
- Valid forms of identification include passports, driving licences, blue badges and Freedom travel passes.
- You can use photo ID even if it is out of date as long as it looks like you.
- The change now applies to all polls, including general, local and police and crime commissioner elections.
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