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CONCERNS: A polling station in Islington, north London

EU CITIZENS across the UK are reported to have been turned away at polling stations for the European elections, despite being registered to vote.

Polls opened today (May 23) at 7am, and many have taken to social media to share their stories of being told they can’t vote, using the hashtag #DeniedMyVote.

Reports of confusion among election officials and administrative errors begun earlier today and has resulted in a "democratic disaster" for eligible voters not being permitted to take part.

Agata Patyna, an immigration and human rights lawyer, tweeted: “Turned away from polling station this morning. Told I should vote in my EU member state. Called local council yesterday, they confirmed I could vote. Called again today. Apparently council had no time to send out forms to all EU residents. Nothing they can do now #DeniedMyVote”

Anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller commented on the issue, sayng the scale of this is “shocking.”

“People who have lived, worked, loved in this country for years are being shown open hostility and denied their democratic right,” she wrote on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said they "understand the frustration of some citizens of other EU Member States, resident in the UK, who have been finding they are unable to vote today when they wish to do so".

EU citizens needed to fill out two forms to vote in the European election in the UK. The first was a register-to-vote form and the second was a declaration to vote in the UK form which needed to be returned to local authorities by May 7.

Seb Dance, a Labour MEP for London, commented that he was dismayed at people being denied their vote.

"I dismay at the posts under #deniedmyvote - we cannot let fellow citizens’ rights be taken away by an incompetent government. If you’re an EU27 citizen USE YOUR VOTE and if you’re denied it don’t let it rest."

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