The United Kingdom stands on the cusp of another significant chapter in its democratic tradition as the general election is officially announced. With the election date set on July 4, political parties are gearing up for intense campaigns, hoping to sway the electorate with their visions and policies.
The right to vote is a cornerstone of democratic governance, and its exercise is a powerful testament to the enduring values of participation and representation. As the UK prepares for this democratic exercise, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and a collective sense of civic duty. The dissolution of parliament and issuance of writs are scheduled for 30 May. The polling will take place between 7 am to 10 pm and the counting of votes will start as soon as practicable after 10pm.
There are 650 parliamentary constituencies in the UK. Each constituency is represented by one Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. The clearest way of winning an election is by getting something called a majority. If a political party secures at least 326 MPs in the upcoming election—more than half of all MPs in parliament—they will have a majority and can form a government.
In terms of dates, the new Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday, 9 July, when the first business will be the election of the speaker and the swearing-in of members.The state opening of Parliament is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 July.
Register to vote
It is crucial for eligible citizens to ensure they are registered to vote. Registration is a simple process that can be completed online or by completing a paper registration form. They can contact their electoral registration office for forms or download them from the UK Government’s website.
To vote in a general election, a person must be 18 or older on polling day and meet one of the following criteria: be a British citizen residing in the UK, an Irish citizen residing in the UK, or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen residing in the UK. British citizens living overseas who were previously registered to vote or were residents in the UK can register as overseas electors. Service voters stationed abroad are also eligible to register and vote. The deadline to register to vote is Wednesday, 18 June.
Apply for postal or proxy vote
If you're unable to visit the polling station on election day, you have two options: voting by proxy or by post. To vote by post, you need to apply for a postal vote. This is suitable if you're away from home or residing abroad and wish to vote in England, Scotland, or Wales. You typically don't need to provide a reason for applying, unless you're voting in Northern Ireland. Postal voting can be applied for a single election on a specific date, for a specific period if you're voting in England, Scotland, or Wales, and for up to 3 years. Applications for postal voting can be made online or by post. When voting by post, ensure to mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret, complete the postal voting statement, seal the ballot and statement in the provided envelope, and seal the envelope yourself. If you're unable to post your ballot paper in time, you can deliver it to your local polling station by 10 pm on election day, or to the Electoral Registration Office before their closing time. In Northern Ireland, ballots should be taken to the Electoral Office before their closing time.
If you can't vote in person, you have the option to appoint someone to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote. Proxy voting is allowed under specific circumstances, such as being away on polling day, being registered as an overseas voter, having a medical issue or disability preventing you from voting in person, or being unable to vote due to work or military service commitments. It's crucial to choose a proxy you trust, as they will cast your vote according to your instructions. Your chosen proxy must be a registered voter, eligible to vote in the election, and able to vote at the specified polling station stated on your poll card. In some elections, they may need to present their own photo ID to vote.
The deadline to apply for postal voting, postal proxy voting, and to make changes to existing postal or proxy votes is Wednesday, 19 June, at 5 pm.
Photo ID you’ll need
If you plan to vote in person, you'll require one of the following types of photo identification:
-a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
-a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
-a UK passport
-a passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
-a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
-a Blue Badge
-a biometric residence permit (BRP)
-a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
-a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
-a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
-a Voter Authority Certificate
-an Anonymous Elector’s Document
You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:
-an older person’s bus pass
-a disabled person’s bus pass
-an Oyster 60+ card
-a Freedom Pass
-a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
-a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
-a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
-a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
If you lack any of the alternative forms of photo identification mentioned above, you can opt for The Voter Authority Certificate, a valid form of voter identification available to eligible United Kingdom voters. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is Wednesday, 26 June, at 5 pm.
