Voters were reminded they do not need to have polling cards or letters from Bradford Council with them when they attend polling stations today.

This year extra information explaining the Alternative Vote Referendum needed to be given to voters so polling letters, rather than polling cards, were sent to many households.

However, in some areas of the district polling cards have still been received, causing an element of confusion.

The Council’s Electoral Services team has stressed it was not aware of any hitches which will prevent people voting.

Susan Saunders, Bradford Council’s electoral services manager, also said that although taking the polling cards or letters to the polling stations was useful, staff only need to take names and addresses to check voters off the register.

But she warned that anyone trying to vote under a false name would be committing a crime.

“If anyone tried to vote by claiming to be someone else they would be committing a criminal offence,” said Mrs Saunders.

“All such incidents would be referred to the police.”

Polling station staff will give ballot papers for the district elections and where appropriate for parish or town council elections.

Anyone who is eligible to vote in the UK-wide referendum about the voting system used for UK Parliament elections will also get a ballot paper for that too. To find out more, go to aboutmyvote.co.uk.

Polling stations opened their doors at 7am and will close at 10pm.

Anyone who does not know where their nearest voting point is should call the Council’s election helpline on (01274) 431360.

Overnight counts for Bradford Council elections are being held at Richard Dunn sports centre and Keighley Leisure Centre with the first results expected to be announced early on Friday. The results of the referendum are expected to be announced on Friday afternoon.