People are being told they will need to bring photo ID to polling stations for the upcoming local elections.

Elections for Oxford City Council and Cherwell District Council are scheduled for Thursday, 7 May.

Additional seats in Banbury Calthorpe and Easington, as well as Bicester West, will be contested in by-elections after councillors stepped down.

On election day, voters must present an acceptable form of photographic ID at the polling station before receiving their ballot paper.

Acceptable documents include a passport, driving licence, Voter Authority Certificate, or a concessionary bus pass for older residents or those with disabilities.

Niki Nixon, director of communications and external affairs at the Electoral Commission, explained that anyone planning to take part in the English local and mayoral elections must have an approved type of photo ID. Detailed information about which forms of identification are acceptable at a polling station on election day can be found on the Commission’s website. These include a passport or driving licence. Those without any of these documents can still apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate through their local council. She urged people not to risk being turned away at the polling station and to make arrangements now.

The deadline for applying for a free Voter Authority Certificate through local councils is 5pm on Tuesday, 28 April.

The certificate is intended for people who do not already possess an approved form of photographic ID.

Polling station staff will check identification on the day, and anyone without valid ID will not be able to cast their vote.

A private area for ID verification will be made available if required.

Photo ID is compulsory for the 7 May elections in England but does not apply to the Senedd and Scottish Parliament elections taking place at the same time.