Councillors have raised concerns that residents voting in upcoming local elections will not be allowed to cast their ballot due to a new voter ID law.

To vote in the election in May, residents will for the first time need to take an accepted form of photographic ID, which has raised fears that some could be turned away at the polling station.

Peter Atkinson, independent councillor for North Portslade, said the new requirement is “completely unnecessary”.

He said: “There is no evidence of widespread electoral fraud and both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have opposed the plans.

“Even the Electoral Commission feels that this May is too soon to try the new scheme out but the government has simply not listened.

“A lot of the older residents in my ward say they are proud to walk down to the polling station to cast their vote.

“They may struggle with these new rules though and that would be a tragedy and an insult to democracy.”

The concerns come as latest Census data revealed that almost eight per cent of people in Brighton and Hove do not have a passport, one of the accepted forms of ID for voting.

This number was highest in Whitehawk, where more than one in five people (20.9 per cent) have no passport.

Nancy Platts, Labour councillor for East Brighton which includes Whitehawk, said: “Forcing voters to bring photographic ID to the polling station just makes it harder for people to vote.

“It is yet another expense, that people who are already struggling to make ends meet can well do without.

“Research shows that more disadvantaged groups are less likely to have ID such as a passport or driving licence.

“Once again, we see the marginalised in our communities missing out through no fault of their own.

“This is a disgraceful tactic by the Conservative government to prevent people on low incomes from voting in elections.”

Paul Webb, professor of politics at the University of Sussex, warned that voters could end up being turned away and not allowed to vote due to confusion around the new law.

He said: “It seems clear that the new voter ID law that requires photo ID to be shown at polling stations is not well understood by the majority of citizens.

“Many will not have any of the prescribed forms of identity, and this is likely to lead to frustration and anger as people are turned away by harassed polling officials on the day.”

A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission, the independent body that oversees UK elections, said: “We have launched our public awareness campaign to ensure voters understand the new requirements and can bring the necessary ID to the polling station in May. We are also working with local councils and civil society organisations to support those less likely to have an accepted form of ID, so that they are aware of the free ID and can apply in time.

“We encourage voters to check now whether they have an accepted form of ID, so they are ready when the time comes.”

Voters who need a form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate through the government’s website.

Residents in Brighton and Hove will go to the polls along with much of Sussex on May 4.

Brighton and Hove City Council was approached for comment.