An Ayr man has said his son “has been disenfranchised” after some people failed to receive their ballot papers in time to have their say in the General Election through a postal vote.

On Tuesday, Royal Mail faced backlash from Conservative politician Kevin Hollinrake after it was reported some people would not receive their ballot papers in time for polling day on Thursday.

One of those people includes Ayr resident Niven Rennie’s son, an RAF officer based in England.

Mr Rennie, 62, from Ayr in Scotland, said he is “angry” his son, who asked not to be identified, had yet to receive his postal vote for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and will not be able to cast his vote.

Mr Rennie, a retired police officer who now works as a business consultant, told the PA news agency: “To me, it brings into question the whole democratic process.

“I feel very angry. I know (my son) is angry.”

His son contacted his local electoral office and asked to have his father vote on his behalf, but was told it was against the law to change his postal vote to a proxy one.

“The ultimate for me is my son has been disenfranchised and his vote will not count,” Mr Rennie said.

“The understanding of the British constitution is that every adult person should get a vote. What has happened here is that a whole lot of people have been disenfranchised.”

Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock is one of four Ayrshire seats up for grabs, with seven candidates hoping to become the constituency's next MP.

“It does call into question a number of results because they are marginal,” Mr Rennie said.

“I’m absolutely flabbergasted. I would have thought in a mature democracy like the United Kingdom that we could make sure these things were operated.”

Mr Rennie added he believes the calling of the General Election during the Scottish school holidays had led to an increase in postal votes.

“If you call an election during the Scottish school holidays, that is going to cause an influx of postal vote applications,” he explained.

“That is, I believe, what has flooded the system. I don’t think there was any consideration given to that when the election was called.”

On Monday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Rishi Sunak was "not concerned" that some people could be disenfranchised by the issues.

“We’re working closely with the Electoral Commission, returning officers, Royal Mail and the print suppliers to support the resolution of these issues,” he told journalists.

Mr Rennie said: “I think any Prime Minister should be concerned about people being disenfranchised.

“If you believe in democracy, then you believe in one person, one vote, and if actually you’re creating a system whereby some people are being robbed of that right, then you should not be defending that.”

A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson told PA: “We are aware of delays nationally with postal votes.

“The delays have not been a result of local processes, and South Ayrshire Council have taken urgent steps to ensure that, where possible, all residents can cast their vote on Thursday.

“Legislatively, the first day that South Ayrshire Council were able to issue replacement postal packs was Friday June 28. Many were re-issued on Friday and work continued on Saturday."