ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the British law has been changed to facilitate the citizens living abroad to cast their vote regardless of the length of their stay abroad.
They are now eligible to register to vote in UK general elections, regardless of how long they’ve been living outside the UK.
A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit. The British High Commission Tuesday said supporting the awareness raising campaign of the UK’s Electoral Commission, it was calling on the British residents living in Pakistan to check if they were eligible.
The Electoral Commission is an independent and impartial organisation that oversees elections in the UK.
Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to vote. They can register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their personal information every three years.
Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered a permissible donor to the UK political parties and campaigners.
The British High Commission spokesperson said that a change in UK law means that more British citizens living abroad are now eligible to vote in UK Parliament elections.
It’s important that eligible people are made aware of the changes so that they can register to vote and cast a ballot when the time comes.
“If you used to live in the UK or know anyone who did, let them know they may be able to have their say at the next UK general election. It only takes five minutes to register, and it can be done online at gov.uk/registertovote.
“It’s also now possible to apply online to vote by post or proxy,” the spokesperson said.
Applicants will need to provide details of the address and time they were last registered or resident.
