Election administrators are warning against government plans to expand the use of ID for elections claiming it could “bring the entire system to a halt”.

The Association of Electoral Administrators said it is “extremely concerned” about proposals in the Representation of the People Bill that would require candidates to provide proof of identity as part of the nominations process.

In written evidence to the Commons’ select committee, the AEA wrote: “We are unclear on the problem this policy is trying to solve.”

It added that even though plans currently pertain to general elections, if expanded to council elections “it would be onerous enough” and “could bring the entire system to a halt” due to the “sheer number of candidates involved”.

Furthermore it could have “possible unintended consequences from changes to guidance for candidates who do not want their legal name to appear on any public documents or declarations… We worry this could potentially be misused in bad faith.”

Another potential “abuse of the system” is a plan to allow political parties to withdraw support for candidates who have already submitted their nomination papers up to 48 hours before the close of nominations.

The AEA has also raised objections about plans to allow bank cards to be used as voter ID in polling station as “we firmly believe there should either be photographic ID in polling stations or no ID requirements at all”.

Their reason is that bank cards only show initials rather than full names so could not “meet the threshold of confirming a person’s identity when compared with details on the electoral register”.

AEA deputy chief executive Laura Lock said: “Our members are the people on the ground who make elections happen. Through them, we know what does and does not work in the current system.

“While the bill includes many welcome technical changes, we are highlighting these concerns to the bill committee in the hope they and their fellow lawmakers will take them on board at this crucial early stage.”

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