European Parliament Election 2014: Don't take selfies in the polling station or you could face prison time
Polling staff have genuinely been trained in what a selfie is
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
The selfie, the self-taken photograph and scourge of 21st century discourse, is now enough of a thing that the Electoral Commission has felt the need to issue a warning to those voting in the European Parliament and local elections that taking one in a polling booth could result in hefty fines or prison time.
It is a criminal offence under Section 66 of the Representation of the People's Act to communicate information about the way someone has voted or is about to, and the EC are concerned that people might try and take photos of their grinning faces next to ballot papers with checked boxes.
Staff at polling station have been urged to put up 'no photography' signs, according to the BBC, and some have even received training in what a selfie is (seriously), and what to do if they spot someone taking one.
Anyone who reveals how someone else votes in today's local and European elections could face a £5,000 fine or six months in prison.
"It would depend on exactly what they were taking a photograph of. We have told them to take a note of the names and addresses of anyone doing it. But we would not necessarily call the police."
Voting takes place between 07:00 BST and 22:00 BST today and you can find out where your nearest polling station is here.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments