Written question asked by Gary Streeter (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 October 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Poland: Elections

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis Polish people were able to vote in the UK in the recent Polish general election; and whether any reciprocal arrangements are in place to enable British citizens in other EU countries to vote in British general elections.

Answer: The embassy of the Republic of Poland informed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by diplomatic note that 20 polling stations were organised across the UK, including four in London, two in Scotland, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland. Postal votes were not available to Polish citizens living in the UK.All British citizens living overseas, who were resident in the UK within the previous 15 years, can apply to become an overseas elector. They will then be able to vote in UK general and European parliamentary elections by postal or proxy vote. Voting at embassies and consulates overseas is not available.

Secondary information