The UK government today backed the use of national insurance numbers to try to prevent electoral fraud in Northern Ireland.
The Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Bill proposes the introduction of photographic electoral identity cards for those who do not have access to other forms of ID, such as passports or driving licences, in an effort to reduce fraud.
During earlier debates in the House of Commons, the UK government had opposed the inclusion of national insurance numbers as part of the measures.
Junior Northern Ireland Minister Mr Desmond Browne previously said the UK government was being careful not to introduce any safeguards which could "inadvertently disenfranchise" voters.
He said they were keen to give the chief electoral officer "as much useful information as possible" but having NI numbers would be of no additional value to him.
However, today, debating House of Lords amendments to the Bill, Mr Browne said he was now satisfied NI numbers could be used for electoral purposes.
In previously opposing the idea, he had been trying to strike a balance between "preventing fraud and not placing unnecessary obstacles in the way of honest voters.
But it was "not a great issue of principle" and a number of his concerns had now been overcome.
"I am now satisfied ... that it can be introduced," he said.
Mr Browne said he hoped MPs would welcome the change in government policy as a positive response to their concerns.
"The amendments require a person applying to the register in respect of an address in Northern Ireland to give his or her national insurance number or to make a statement that he or she does not have one," he said.
In response to Tory criticisms that the Labour government had caused delays to the Bill, he gave his assurance that the system could be in place in time for Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
PA