A Kent MP says voting in this week’s council elections could be deliberately disrupted by left-wing activists claiming they have no photo identification.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has written to the Electoral Commission raising fears there could be activists flooding polling booths and leading to widespread disruption.

The MP says in a letter to the Commission that any intervention could lead to “wasting council officer time” and that could “seriously disrupt the evaluation of the actual roll out of the measures.”

For the first time voters will be required to show some form of photo ID when they go to their polling station to vote.

There have been fears that the new requirement could lead to challenges for staff managing the vote. It is thought that many voters might not be aware of the requirement to produce some kind of ID such as a driving licene or passport.

The government had in place a scheme in which those without photo ID were able to apply for a certificate.

The MP said:“There are a number of organisations that are opposed to the new identification measures - Extinction Rebellion and associated climate groups who indulge in anarchistic behaviour with a wish to supplant statutory elections with ‘citizens assemblies.’”

He asked the Commission to state what measures were in place to prevent campaigners under-mining the election.

Elections take place on Thursday in 12 Kent district and borough council elections, along with Medway council, a unitary authority.

Some 550 seats are up for grabs in what could be the last major election before a general election next year.

An Extinction Rebellion spokesman said they had no plans to cause disruption on the day of the election.