Tower Hamlets Council 7. May 2026

Election for Councillors and Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

It is free for anybody with the correct support and papers to stand as Councillors, see advice guidance.

All important guidelines for the local elections are published on the Council website.

Voter ID

You need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in England.

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station. 

You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, not a photocopy.

International travel

• A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
• A passport or passport card issued by an EEA state (Opens in new window), or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens

Driving and Parking

• A photocard driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• A Blue Badge

Local travel

• Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
• Freedom Pass
• a National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents

• Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) (you can only use this ID at elections taking place on or after 1 May 2025)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate – free to apply
• Anonymous Elector’s Document

Digital ID

• Veterans’ card
• e-visa

Please do go and vote. We think, with the latest policing changes, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets or a committee of selected councillors will be responsible for Policing in this borough.

We will add to this post as information becomes available.

An important part of this process is the problem with Election Fraud. Tower Hamlets has been in the public limelight about this issue in the past.

You can report via the Council or the Police directly, even anonymously.

Alternatively you can contact the police directly by email SETElections@met.police.uk, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 who will pass the information on to Tower Hamlets Police.

Electoral Commission Advice