News releases

Polish people living in England are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote as they prepare to celebrate their homelands national day on Sunday 3 May.

The call comes as part of the Electoral Commission's campaign to encourage people to make sure they are registered to vote in the 4 June European Parliamentary Elections ahead of the 19 May deadline.

Polish citizens living in England have a choice about where they can vote in England to elect the UK Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or in the Polish elections to elect the Polish MEPs.

"As members of the Polish Community take time out to remember their home country were asking them to take a few moments to consider if theyre registered to vote," explains Karen Quaintmere, Head of English Regions for the Electoral Commission. "As a European citizen living in the UK they need to check not only if theyre registered to vote but also that theyve completed a special form to confirm where they intend to vote."

"Many Polish people are not fully aware of the rights theyre entitled to while living in England. Being able to vote is just one of them and Polish people, along with other EU citizens, have the added privilege of choosing to vote here or in their home country. We encourage all members of our Polish community to take advantage of this right and make sure theyre registered."

All Polish citizens who want to vote in England must be registered to vote by 19 May. For more information available in Polish and to print off a registration form, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk . Alternatively, contact your local authority. 

Those choosing to vote in England, rather than in the Polish elections, should fill in a European Parliament voter registration form to confirm their choice, also available on www.aboutmyvote.co.uk It is an offence to vote in more than one European country in the European Parliamentary elections.

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For further information contact:

Electoral Commission Press Office

Telephone: 0207 271 0704

Out-of-Hours: 07789 920 414

Email: press@electoralcommission.org.uk

Note to editors

1. On 4 June the UK votes for their 72 representatives in the European Parliament. In England there are also local elections taking place in 34 authorities across the country.
2. Non-UK European Union citizens resident in the UK are entitled to join the electoral register and may vote in European Parliamentary elections, local elections and elections to the devolved legislatures.
3. EU citizens cannot vote at the European Parliamentary elections in more than one country. If they choose to vote in the UK, they must fill out a form available from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
4. To register to vote, or for more information, including to visit our virtual polling station, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
5. You can register to vote if you live in the UK and are aged 18 or over on polling day and a British, Irish Republic, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. British citizens living overseas are also eligible to vote if they have been registered in the UK in the past ten years. Members of the UK armed forces serving abroad can also vote.
6. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. We aim to raise public understanding of the way our democracy works and provide guidance to ensure a well run electoral registration process and well run elections. The responsibility for running elections and overseeing the count lies with Returning Officers and the Electoral Commission reports afterwards on the administration of elections in the UK.