Voters encouraged to turn out for European Election
Published on:
09
April 2009
With the European Parliamentary elections less than two months away, Clackmannanshire Council is encouraging people to vote.
An inflatable 'X' will be stopping off in Alloa on 14th April as part of a national publicity campaign to highlight the election. The election takes place on Thursday 4th June in Scotland when six MEPs will be elected to represent the whole of Scotland.
The 'X' will then be making appearances around the county to remind voters to place a single cross on the ballot papers at the election.
You are invited to send a photographer to Greenfield House, Alloa, at 12.15pm on Tuesday 14th April, when Chief Executive Angela Leitch will be available for a photocall with the inflatable 'X'.
Angela said: "The 2009 European Parliament election will be the biggest trans-national election in history and I would encourage everyone who is eligible in Clackmannanshire to ensure that they are registered to vote so that nothing stops them from taking part in this historic event."
Almost 500 million European citizens in 27 countries are eligible to vote, as 736 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected for a five-year term.
In order to vote in the UK on 4th June you need to be registered and the deadline for registration is 19th May 2009.
Registering allows you to participate directly in elections, but it also impacts on other areas of your life. For example, you may have a reduced credit reference rating or problems obtaining credit if you are not on the current Register of Electors.
You can register to vote at any time and application forms are available online at www.clacksweb.org.uk or by contacting the electoral registration office on 01786 892200.
Council staff will be out and about in Alloa next week to answer any questions voters have about the European Elections. They will also have a copy of the electoral register with them to allow you to check whether you are registered to vote.
These information sessions will take place at:
- Lime Tree House on Tuesday 14th April from 1.30pm - 3.30pm
- Tesco Supermarket on Wednesday 15th April from 10am - noon
- Kilncraigs on Wednesday 15th April from 1.30pm - 3.30pm
- Alloa Library on Thursday 16th April from 10am - noon
- Morrisons on Friday 17th April from 1.30pm - 3.30pm
The European Parliament has a big influence on the lives of EU citizens, whether they realise it or not. EU laws apply in all member states, and most laws passed by national parliaments are drafted in response to European directives.
Examples of recent European laws include:
- Reach directive. This stands for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals and has been described as the most important EU legislation for 20 years. It puts the onus on business to show that the chemicals it uses are safe.
- Roaming directive. This limits how much mobile phone operators can charge customers for roaming calls in other EU countries.
- Data retention directive. This is a central plank of the EU's anti-terror strategy. It requires member states to ensure that communications providers keep phone records and e-mails for up to two years.
