Police had to be called in at least four places and voters staged sit-ins in protest at being denied their right to vote in the spring general election. In some cases local polling stations were said to have run out of ballot papers, while in others they were unable to get all those who wanted to vote into booths in time. There were reports of voters being turned away in many towns and cities (including Sheffield, Birmingham and Liverpool). According to the Electoral Commission, at least 1,200 people lost their votes on May 6. This is probably an underestimate because it is based on figures provided by returning officers and does not include Liverpool.