Written question asked by Marion Roe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 2004. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, under which legislation Commonwealth citizens are entitled to vote in local government elections in the UK; and what the eligibility criteria are.

Answer: Dame Marion Roe: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister under which legislation Commonwealth citizens are entitled to vote in local government elections in the UK; and what the eligibility criteria are. [196446] Mr. Raynsford: Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are entitled to vote in local government elections under section 2 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. To be eligible to vote in a local government election qualifying Commonwealth citizens must be registered in the register of local government electors for that area; must not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote, age apart; and must be of voting age, that is 18 years or over. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those who do not require leave to enter or remain in the UK under the Immigration Act 1971, or those who require leave, but for the time being have any description of such leave.

Secondary information