Britain's photo ID system undermines the democracy it is trying to preserve Parisa HashempourMay 22, 2021, 19:28 IST A voter leaves a polling location in the UK.Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images The Queen announced that elections. In a country where an estimated quarter of voters lack ID, the move undermines democracy and disproportionately harms marginalized citizens. With extraordinarily low levels of electoral fraud conviction in the UK, the scheme will fortify the Conservatives' stronghold and is an expensive distraction from much-needed social reform. Parisa Hashempour is a freelance journalist and International Studies lecturer living in the Netherlands. This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author.