If you’re voting today make sure you don’t commit the sin of taking a selfie in the polling booth.

The Electoral Commission has advised voters against photography inside polling stations to avoid inadvertently breaching laws on the secrecy of ballots.

You can take a picture of your own ballot paper, but it is an offence to communicate or publicise this information to anyone else.

Sharing a photographic image of a ballot paper could infringe secrecy requirements under Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Those found guilty of such a breach can face a fine or even six months in prison.

The Electoral Commission said: "The law against releasing information obtained in a polling station is there to protect the integrity of the poll and the secrecy of the ballot.

"Remember that pictures of you before you go into or after you leave the polling station are great to use on social media posts but don't take a picture of yourself inside the polling station as if you post this it could be a breach of the law."

Will Brett, head of campaigns at the Electoral Reform Society, said: "While it's vital that people's privacy isn't invaded in the polling booth, selfies could be a fun addition to the voting day ritual, especially for young people who are least likely to vote.

"Rather than seeking to take the fun out of politics we should be doing everything we can to make it more attractive to vote.

"Showing your friends that you voted could be a great way of raising awareness about the election, provided people don't do it inside the polling station.

"Voters in other countries increasingly take selfies to show they are proud of taking part in the democratic process.

"Why not here?"