Politics

Can EU citizens vote in election? – General election voting rules explained


Polling booths have opened across Britain as voters head to ballot boxes in what has been billed as the most important General Election in a generation. Brexit is playing a huge part of this election campaign, with Boris Johnson’s “oven ready” deal with the EU firmly on the table – and in voters’ minds.

And with that comes a whole host of other issues, including that of EU nationals living and working in the UK.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson accused Boris Johnson of being a liar over his stance on EU nationals in the UK.

In a strongly-worded attack, Ms Swinson said: “He has said that he has promised their rights to stay after Brexit, and yet, if you look at the system that they are putting in place, there is a cut-off date, so there is no guarantee that all EU citizens who are living here and have been living here will actually be allowed to stay.

“It is a Windrush scandal waiting to happen.”

READ MORE: Election 2019 results time: When will the results be announced? 

Can EU citizens vote in election?

Because of the voting rules explained above, this means EU citizens cannot vote in the election today.

Only citizens with British, Irish, Cypriot or Maltese citizenship who meet the criteria above will be able to mark a ballot paper.

But even though these citizens can’t vote today, there are some elections they can take part in.

EU citizens can vote in European Parliament or local councils, police and crime commissioners elections, plus the London mayoral and Assembly vote.

They can also elect representatives in the Northern Ireland, Welsh and Scottish Parliaments.

All the parties leaders have been out and about to vote today.

Boris Johnson broke with a tradition set by his recent predecessors and voted at Methodist Central Hall, near Downing Street – instead of his own marginal London constituency Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Mr Johnson took the seat with a 5,034 majority at the snap election and is facing a fierce battle to unseat him in the Remain voting area.

The PM took around three minutes to vote and, upon exiting the polling station, posed for pictures with his pet before heading back to Downing Street.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn voted at 9.30am with wife Laura Alvarez in Islington North, where he lives and has represented as an MP since 1983.

Jo Swinson and Nicola Sturgeon have also been out to cast their ballots today.



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