TRNC BRITS GET VOTES FOR LIFE
● BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS REGAIN RIGHT TO VOTE IN UK GENERAL ELECTIONS
BRITISH citizens who have been living abroad for more than 15 years, including those in North Cyprus, have regained the right to vote in UK general elections.
A new law has been passed removing the previous time limit that meant UK citizens living overseas for more than 15 years lost their right to vote.
In a statement to Cyprus Today, the British High Commission in South Nicosia said it is supporting the awareness-raising campaign of the UK’s Electoral Commission, calling on British residents living in the island of Cyprus to check if they are eligible.
The Electoral Commission is the independent and impartial organisation that oversees elections in the UK.
The British High Commission said that those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to vote in UK parliament elections.
They can register online at 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 UK political parties and campaigners.
British High Commissioner Irfan Siddiq said: “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 last UK general election was held in December 2019, when the Conservative Party, then led by Boris Johnson, won a comfortable majority.
However a recent YouGov poll predicts that the Labour Party are on course for a “1997-style landslide” victory.
The current Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak has yet to announce a general election date, but has said he expects to call a date “in the second half” of 2024. The latest a general election can be held is January 28, 2025.
To register to vote from abroad, applicants will need to provide details of the address and time they were last registered or resident.
Local authorities must be able to verify an applicant’s identity and past connection to the area.
More information is available on the Electoral Commission’s website. Voters living in the TRNC can find contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place they lived in the UK, using the Electoral Commission’s postcode look-up tool.
UK Parliament elections cover UK parliamentary general elections, UK parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions. The eligibility for other types of elections has not changed.
Just over 230,000 people were registered as overseas voters at the 2019 general election.
Many voters living abroad choose to apply for absent votes. Applications to vote by post or proxy in Great Britain can now also be done online.
The change is part of the UK Government’s Election Act, passed in 2022.
POSTAL VOTE CONCERNS
Speaking to Cyprus Today, British Residents Society (BRS) chairman Julian Mawdesley said that while he welcomed the abolishment of the 15-year rule, the BRS will be “making enquiries” with the British High Commission “as to what process will be used for those living in the TRNC to get their votes to the UK”, citing “concern over postal services between the two countries”.
On the number of British residents currently living in the TRNC who will benefit from the rule change, Mawdesley said: “Although we can’t confirm how many expats living here this will affect, we have seen a rise in the number of BRS members who are choosing to remain here rather than returning to the UK, so this proposal I’m sure will be seen as a positive move, if it is achievable or feasible.”
Asked if the move could strengthen the BRS’s ongoing campaign to lobby the British government, on issues such as direct flights, Mawdesley replied: “If there is a route for voting rights for those living in the TRNC it could be seen as further acknowledgement that we actually exist!”