WITH a general election looming, Scottish Borders Council is encouraging residents to be election ready.

A UK General Election will be called before January 28, 2025 - however, the date has not yet been confirmed - and SBC wants to make sure that all eligible voters are prepared for when the election comes around.

This election will differ from previous ones as eligible voters must now attend polling stations with a valid photo ID when voting in person or acting as a proxy for someone else.

An SBC spokesperson said: "Scottish Borders Council is encouraging eligible voters to check now if they have the correct photo ID or if they need a Voter Authority Certificate and not to leave it until the Election date is announced."

Valid forms of ID include a driving licence (including provisional), a Blue Badge, or a UK, Channel Islands, Isle of man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or Commonwealth Country  passport.

Residents who are registered to vote who don't have a valid photo ID or are unsure if their ID still looks like them can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

The Voter Authority Certificate is available to registered voters in the Borders and can be applied for online at gov.uk or by completing a paper application form which can be sent to SBC's Electoral Registration Office (ERO).

To register to vote, apply for an absent vote, or for information on photo ID, visit: www.saa.gov.uk/scottishborders/electoral-registration

To contact the Borders ERO, call them on 01835 825100 or email: ero@scotborders.gov.uk.

In person appointments at SBC headquarters can also be arranged.