Electoral Registers

Encoding of the electoral districts, structure and content of electronic
records of the electoral registers (31593/22-9-2000)(in Greek)


EU Citizens

Dear citizens of the European Union,

Undoubtedly the active participation of EU citizens in the decision-making processes both at European and local levels has always been a basic orientation and firm objective of the European Union, which seeks to protect its citizens' rights and interests through the adoption of the proper measures .

The institution of EU citizenship, recognizes the right of all citizens to elect and be elected in European Parliament and local elections for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.

The Hellenic Ministry of Interior fully adopting the principle of equality and non-discrimination between nationals and non-nationals, calls all European Union citizens residing in Greece to exercise their institutionally established civil rights in the European Parliament elections.

All EU citizens residing in a member state of which they are not nationals and wishing to exercise their right to vote in the European Parliament elections are required to be registered in the special electoral roll established in their municipality or community of residence.

To register in the electoral roll, citizens are required to report to the municipal or community authorities of residence and produce their passport or identification card and fill out a registration application – statement. For the European Parliament elections of 7th June 2009, the deadline for the registration in the electoral roll, is on 3 March 2009.

EU citizens wishing to vote for combinations and candidates of their own country should contact their Embassy or Consulate authorities in Greece.

All EU citizens wishing to exercise their right to be elected must be at least 25 years of age and not deprived of their civil rights at their member state of origin and Greece.

In order to exercise the right to be elected, these EU citizens must submit a candidate proposal including the same supporting documents as national candidates as well as the following:

• A solemn declaration stating:
• their nationality and address in Greece
• the electoral roll of the municipality or community or district or election precinct where they were last registered in the member state of origin
• that they are not running as candidates for the European Parliament election in other member state or in another party's candidate list or political party coalition in Greece
• the date as of which they are nationals of a member state

• Certificate issued by the competent administrative authorities of the member state of origin stating that they have not been deprived of the right to be elected in that member state. The candidacy is declared inadmissible should this certificate not be submitted.
• A photocopy of their passport or ID card.

For additional information , please contact:

• The Ministry of Interior Elections Directorate. Tel.: 210 3741132, 210 3741131, 210 3741311, 210 3741300 and 210 3741130.

e-mail: te.ekloges , ekloges

• The Embassy or Consulate of the member state of origin in Greece
• The municipality or community of residence
• Any Citizen Service Centre (KEPs)
• The call center 1500.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Election Day

On Sunday, 7th June 2009 elections will be held in Greece to elect Members of the European Parliament. Voting will commence at 07:00 hours and will end at 19:00 hours. Voting is mandatory.

Electoral System

Elections will take place using direct, universal, secret ballot in line with the provisions of the election legislation currently in effect.

Electoral Constituency

For the purpose of electing Members of the European Parliament, the Greek State consists of one single constituency.

Persons entitled to vote

Those persons entitled to elect Greek MEPs are Greek citizens who are

• aged 18 years old
• are registered in an electoral list maintained by a Municipality or Community in Greece and who have not been deprived of their right to vote

Persons not entitled to vote

• Persons who pursuant to the provisions of the Hellenic Civil Code have been fully deprived of their right to exercise their civil rights on their own.
• All those persons so deprived by virtue of an irrevocable criminal sentence, for one of the crimes cited in the Penal and Military Penal Code for such time as that deprivation persists.

How to vote

Voters should go to the polling station and present themselves to the returning board which will examine their identification and verify whether they are registered in the electoral rolls. Voters will enter the polling station one by one or in groups of small numbers in the order they arrive or in the manner laid down by each returning board. Voters should identify themselves by presenting their police ID cards to the returning board. Voters who do have not ID cards , can present their passports instead. The returning board will provide each voter with a specially marked envelope initialled by the court representative and stamped by the board as well as a full set of ballot papers for all party lists.
Voters who are physically incapable of performing the above tasks are entitled to turn to the court representative or to a member of the returning board for assistance. These persons are obliged to provide such assistance to voters. Voters are prohibited from placing ballot papers in the ballot box: a) if not placed within the specially marked envelope or if the envelope is unsealed and b) if the voter has not first pulled the curtain around the polling booth.

Where so requested, voters will be provided with a voting certificate signed and stamped by the chairman of the returning board and bearing its stamp that he/she voted.

INFORMATION FOR CITIZENS

Persons registered in one Municipality and voting elsewhere

In the European Parliamentary Elections, the electors who are registered in special lists of those who vote in the place of their residence, even if they are registered in a Municipality elsewhere, will vote at the polling stations of the Municipality or Community of their residence, where they have submitted their application. (No special electoral departments or polling stations are formed in prefectural capitals as it is the case in the General Elections).

Where do judges and civil servants vote?

Judges and civil servants in general may exercise their electoral rights either in the municipality or community where they are registered or at their place of residence in their capacity as electors registered in one place but have their residence elsewhere.

Where do court representatives and members of the returning board vote?

Court representatives vote at the polling station in which they are exercising their duties. Members of returning board and all deputy court representatives who are not actively exercise their duties shall vote at a polling station determined by the head of court representatives within the area of his purview. These electors shall only vote if they are registered in an electoral roll in a municipality or community in Greece. To this end they should sign a Solemn Statement reported the municipality or community in which they are registered.

Where do electoral guards vote?

In the case where a compliment of guards is deployed to guard a polling station, these persons (who may not number more than 4) shall vote at the polling station they are guarding.

These voters shall vote only if they are registered in the electoral rolls or in the special electoral rolls of persons serving in the Hellenic Police Force or other Security Forces. These special electoral rolls require the approval of the relevant Court of First Instance. The Chairman of the returning board or the person managing its work shall issue a report that the persons who voted at the polling station as members of his guard did in fact belong to that guard.

Where do members of the Armed Forces, Police, Coast Guard and Fire Brigade vote?

Voters serving in the Hellenic Police Force, the Fire Brigade, the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard and who are registered in special electoral rolls shall vote at the place where they are on duty on Election Day.
These voters shall be identified by the returning board by presenting their military or service ID cards.

Where do seamen vote?

Greek seamen serving on vessels flying under the Greek flag who are registered in special electoral rolls shall vote by presenting their seaman ID papers.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Who is electable?

Greek citizens aged 25on Election Day who have not been deprived of their right to vote can be elected.

Impediments to election and incompatibilities

a) Impediments: An impediment to election exists for all person holding the positions cited in Article 56(1) and (4) of the Greek Constitution plus Deputies currently serving in the Hellenic Parliament. The provisions of Greek electoral law apply to the process of resigning from positions which constitute an impediment to election in the European Parliamentary Elections.

b) Incompatibilities: The position of MEP is incompatible with:
- The work or positions stipulated in Article 57 of the Greek Constitution.
- The position of Deputy currently serving in the Hellenic Parliament.
- The positions stipulated by the Council of the European Community’s Decision of 20 September 1976 and in particular the position of:

• Member of the Greek Government.
• Member of the Commission of the European Communities.
• Judge, Rapporteur, or Clerk of the European Court of Justice.
• Member of the European Central Bank's Executive Board.
• Member of the European Community’s Court of Auditors.
• The European Communities Ombudsman
• Member of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). .
• Member of committees or organizations established pursuant to or in implementation of the Treaties establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community and EURATOM to manage Community funds or the ongoing, direct performance of management duties.
• Member of the Board of Directors, Management Committee or employee of the European Investment Bank.
• Active employee or member of staff of the European Communities’ institutions or organs or organizations associated with them or the European Central Bank.

The right to nominate candidates and prepare party lists

Only parties or coalitions of associated parties are entitled to submit candidate nominations. The nomination should cite the name, surname, father’s name, position and precise address of the nominee and be accompanied by acceptance in writing and a solemn statement from the candidate. The nominations for each party list should be accompanied by a receipt from the Athens Payments Tax Office demonstrating payment of the sum of €2934.70. The list of nominated candidates should be served by court process server or recorded delivery on the Public Prosecutor of the Hellenic Supreme Court no later than 13 days after the commencement of the pre-election period.

The pre-election period commences at least 30 days before Election Day.

Appointment of candidates

Chamber I of the Hellenic Supreme Court is responsible for appointing candidates meeting the conditions laid down by law. This is done per party list on the 14th day before Election Day in accordance with the order set out in the list. Note that since the law does not provide preferential voting (preference crosses) for specific candidates in the party list, it is therefore up to parties and coalitions to determine the order of nomination and appointment of candidates on the basis of which they will be elected.

Electoral departments and polling stations

Each electoral department should facilitate up to 600 voters.

INFORMATION FOR PARTY LISTS

Electoral System - Allocation of Seats

The electoral system used to elect Members of the European Parliament is purely proportional. Seats for MEPs are allocated between all party lists or coalitions of associated parties participating in the election in line with the total number of valid ballot papers they receive across the entire State. Note that a party or coalition of associated parties which does not accumulate valid ballot papers equal to at least 3% of all valid ballot papers received throughout the entire State by parties and coalitions is not entitled to a seat in the European Parliament.

The overall election results in Greece as a whole are prepared by the Supreme Returning Board based at the Ministry of the Interior based on the voting results tables per constituency which are dispatched by the local Courts of First Instance to the Ministry of the Interior. This Supreme Returning Board prepares the general finalized list of results for the entire State and then allocates European Parliamentary seats between all party lists and coalitions participating in the election pro rata with their election results across the State.

It should not be forgotten that the voting results of Greek electors resident in other Member States of the European Union are also taken into account in allocating European Parliamentary seats among party lists and coalitions.

INFORMATION FOR GREEKS RESIDENT ABROAD

Provision of information to voters

Greek citizens who have their residence in the other 26 countries of the European Union and Greeks who happen to be in another Member State of the European Union on Election Day are entitled to participate in the election process in Greece in parallel with Greek voters throughout the Greek State. These results will be incorporated into the general voting results achieved in the Greek State overall. The following rules are related with the provision of information to Greeks resident abroad and the preliminary steps to be taken prior to voting:

Provision of information to voters
Greek Embassies and Consulates in other Member States of the European Union are obliged to inform Greek voters who have their residence there using every reasonable means about their right to participate in the European Parliamentary Elections.
These voters should be informed in due time about the date of elections, the prerequisites for exercising their electoral rights and to be provided with the ID papers necessary for Election Day.

Election Day abroad

The Election Day for Greek voters who have their residence in the Member States of the EU will take place Saturday 6th June 2009. During voting they are obliged to present their ID card or passport to the returning board.

Conditions

In order to exercise their right to vote at their place of residence Greeks resident abroad should:
a) be registered in an electoral roll of a municipality or community in Greece.
b) be entitled to vote and not have been deprived of that right.
c) submit a statement to the local Embassy or Consulate (in the area where they intend to exercise their voting rights) that they wish to vote at their place of residence. The deadline for submitting such statements has been set by the Minister of the Interior.
d) have their residence in a Member State of the European Union on Election Day. Based on this statement they will be entered in special electoral rolls prepared by the Ministry of Interior.

Procedure for filling out, processing and dispatching the voting statements of Greek citizens resident in the EU.

The application form is available via the internet and can be filled out and returned online. The following steps should be taken:
i) Using a computer connected to the internet they should visit the relevant pages of the Ministry of Interior website (www.ypes.gr).
ii) They should search for their registration in the database of voters using this website by providing their name-surname.
iii) They should enter their address (Town, Street, Number, Post Code, Tel. No., e-mail) using the special form and choose the city they intend to vote in from a predetermined list.
iv) They should print out the application in triplicate using the system.
v) They should submit two copies of the application and a photocopy of the last page of their passport to the local Embassy or Consulate. Applications may also be submitted by lawfully authorized representatives.
vi) The Embassy or Consulate will record the applications received and dispatch one copy (with the passport photocopy attached) to the relevant Directorate of Ministry of Interior.
vii) This Directorate will take all the steps necessary which have as a result the preparation and dispatch of special electoral rolls of Greek residents in the EU.

It should be noted that, once these special electoral rolls of Greeks resident in the EU are finalized, the internet can be used by those who have registered to find out which city and polling station they will in fact be voting at.

Polling Stations

Buildings belonging to Greek Embassies or Consulates, buildings of other Greek authorities or services, independent offices of Greek Christian Orthodox Churches and buildings or other premises belonging to Greek communities, associations or other Greek organizations may be used as polling stations (to be decided on by the Minister of Interior), which will form electoral departments. Ιn case these buildings are inadequate to meet election needs, buildings belonging to the EU Member State may be used.
The number of electoral departments (to be decided on by the Minister of Interior), which will be established for each Embassy or Consulate depends on the number of voters stating their intention to vote in that area based on the statements submitted.

The table with the deadlines will be updated promptly upon the decisions of ministers.

Publication and release of the election programme.

The Election Programme is released and posted at visible locations at all polling stations at least 5 days before Election Day. This Programme should include: The date of elections

• The opening and closure time of voting
• The electoral departments and polling stations
• The names of candidates of all party lists.

Establishment of returning boards

Voting at each electoral department will take place under the supervision of a returning board which will consist of a court representative acting as Chairman and three voters from those included in the special electoral rolls. The representatives of the court will be appointed by Chamber I of the Hellenic Supreme Court. The other members of the returning board drawn from persons registered in the special electoral rolls will be appointed by the local Ambassador or Consul following a public draw of lots at the Embassy or Consulate. The date and time of such drawing of lots shall be notified by Embassies and Consulates by displaying a notice to this effect at their offices.

Judicial functionaries, court employees and attorneys at law from Greece may be appointed as court representatives. If inadequate numbers of such persons are available to cover the needs of all electoral departments, at exception the Chamber I of the Hellenic Supreme Court may appoint the following persons as court representatives: permanent Embassy and Consul attaches and secretaries; permanent qualified administrative staff of Embassies and Consulates from higher or tertiary level education qualifications and employed in the post of Advisor (Grade A or above); as well as permanent civil servants of other Greek authorities or services abroad who are also certificated of higher or tertiary level education employed in the post of Advisor (Grade A or above) serving within the area covered by the Embassy or Consulate.