By Ben Kerrigan-
The denial of EU citizens in the UK to vote in European elections is wrong and not acceptable. Complaints by EU citizens to have been left out of the voting process despite registering in advance suggests some level of malpractice.
#DeniedMyVote is one of the top trending topics on Twitter in the UK as they voice their anger at being unable to vote. Those registered to vote completed a UC1 form, declaring that they are casting their European elections ballot in the UK.
Complaining EU citizens said they had returned the form before the 7 May deadline but were turned away and told they were not eligible to vote. Sky news said it had received a number of complaints from EU voters about what was being seen as unfair treatment against EU citizens by some local polling stations. Citizens of Ireland, Malta or Cyprus are eligible to vote in the UK for European elections without having to make this written declaration
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Complainants have been contacting both the BBC and Sky News to express their deep disappointment with the voting process which appears to be leaving out EU citizens.
A spokesperson acknowledged the registration process for EU citizens “could be made easier” and said the commission had been pushing for changes.
They continued: “The very short notice from the government of the UK’s participation in these elections impacted on the time available for awareness of this process amongst citizens, and for citizens to complete the process.”
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CAMPAIGNING GROUP
A campaigning group on behalf Of EU citizens living in the Uk known as The 3Million, said it had been directly contacted by hundreds of people who had been affected, adding that thousands would have encountered problems.
They condemned as “outrageous” the fact many EU citizens had been denied the opportunity to vote in these elections” An Electoral Commission spokesman said it understood the frustration of people who had been unable to vote.
It said it had made the case for the process for EU citizens to vote in the UK to be made easier, but it would require changes to the law from government and Parliament.
A spokesman added: “The very short notice from the government of the UK’s participation in these elections impacted on the time available for awareness of this process amongst citizens, and for citizens to complete the process.
“EU citizens’ right to vote in the election in their home member state remains unaffected by the change in the UK’s participation; in order to do so, they would need to be registered in that country in accordance with that country’s process and timetable.”
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