Written question asked by Lord Garden (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Monday, 6 June 2005.

Service Personnel: Voting Arrangements

Question: What special postal arrangements were made to ensure that service personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq could receive their ballot forms and return them in time for the elections on 5 May.

Answer: The British Forces Post Office issued an instruction to all forces post offices worldwide on the handling of postal votes on 12 April, and provided a sample of the distinct envelope markings for recognition purposes. Mail was dispatched and returned to Iraq and Afghanistan using the established air-bridge. Advice was also provided to service personnel that they may consider it best to apply for a proxy vote if they were in any doubt that their postal vote could be returned to the UK in time.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7; 672 c31WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Armed forces Absent voting Iraq Postal services Afghanistan General Election 2005