Once I would have objected, but not now. Society has changed so much, When in France I had to produce my Carte Vitale and proof of address in order to vote in local elections. No-one had any problem with it. I couldn't use my passport (it's in my maiden name and has expired) but I could use my Bus Pass, which was FREE!
Councils are saying that they will provide identification cards and I assume that these will be the same as the Bus pass. You turn up with proof of habitation and some bills and there you are.
I'm afraid it is now needed. There have been too many instances of fraud in the last 20 years.
I would also tighten up on postal votes. Certainly they should exist for those unable to vote (I used one myself once) but they have become unsafe. I know this will come as heresay but I spoke to the people myself. In the S-E Asian communities in my part of the W. Riding, I was often told by children, who were proud, that the Elders had visited their house to show their parents where to put their X and then collect the completed forms. Many of the parents did not speak English. Colleagues confirmed that they had been told the same.
Sad that we have to change our ways, but it is necessary.