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'Thousands' of British citizens living abroad denied vote in EU elections due to administrative errors
Thousands of British nationals living abroad have been deprived of their votes in today’s elections due to administrative errors by UK authorities, according to widespread reports.British In Europe, which represents UK nationals living in the EU, said “postal votes have gone missing, arrived late or simply didn’t arrive at all”.For European Parliament elections, British citizens who live abroad can choose to either vote in their host country or back in Britain – with many choosing to vote in the UK this year because of the effect of Brexit on their lives.Most of these votes are conducted using a postal vote, with proxy voting also an option. People who live abroad for more than 15 years lose the right to vote at home.The reports of disenfranchisement come amid related widespread claims of EU nationals living in the UK getting turned away from polling stations.Jane Golding, co-chair of British In Europe, said “hundreds if not thousands” of British nationals will have “been effectively disenfranchised in this vote, and previous national votes, by a combination of administration procedures that are not fit for purpose and the lack of resource to overcome them”.She said: “Add into that no central body looking after our disapora and we have the perfect storm. It comes as no surprise whatsoever that postal votes have gone missing, arrived late or simply didn’t arrive at all because the UK's attitude to its overseas voters is outdated and broken. “Just applying similar rules to someone in Germany or Spain as someone who lives 100 metres away from their local Council doesn't make sense and then sending ballots out using the cheapest route when there is an imminent deadline is nothing short of reckless.“The UK needs to get its act together, give all its citizens a vote wherever they live and set up 21st century procedures for dealing with its overseas voters. Democracy matters, our votes matter. Other countries manage it, so can the UK.”The Cabinet Office, which is in charge of elections, declined to comment on the record about the problems when approached by The Independent. Officials however said it was the responsibility of local returning officers to make sure postal ballot papers were sent out on time, and that the government providing some funding and advance to help postal votes get to the right place on time.
The UK's Electoral Commission has responded to a widespread conspiracy theory about using pens in the European elections.
Some have claimed that voters must use ink for their vote to count. Using a standard pencil will allow biased people at the count will be able to erase the mark from the box and change the vote so that it has been cast for somebody else.
The story gained particular traction around the Brexit referendum, when Leave supporters were urged to take pens with them to ensure their votes could not be tampered with.
There has never been any documented case of such an event taking place. Counts are closely watched by officials and politicians from different parties, meaning it would be very difficult to get away with.
The Electoral Commission has responded, saying that anyone bringing along a pen will be entirely entitled to vote as normal.
It did not endorse the practice, but nor did it make any explicit reference to the conspiracy theories or the reason that anyone would bring along a pen.
Instead, it only made reference to electoral law, which indicates that people can bring their own pen or pencil to cast their ballot and will not be forced to use the one in the polling station.
The UK heads to the polls for European Elections over Thursday.
The rest of the continent will vote between Thursday and Sunday, and results will finally be revealed on Monday morning.
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