(Election to the European Parliament : 10 June 2004)
1. LEGAL BASIS
European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002
European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003
2. ELECTORAL SYSTEM
Proportional representation: using a closed regional list
system for eleven regions: Eastern (7 seats); East Midlands (6 seats); London
(9 seats); North-East England (3 seats); North-West England (9 seats);
South-East England (10 seats); South-West England (7 seats), West Midlands (7
seats); Yorkshire and Humberside (6 seats); Scotland (7 seats); Wales (4
seats).
Allocation of seats: for the above regions:
d'Hondt method.
Proportional representation: using the
Single Transferable Vote system (STV) for the three seats in Northern
Ireland.
3. REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES
Deadline for registration: 13 May,
2004.
Deposit: GBP 5000 for each party list for
each region or GBP 5000 for each independent candidate (deposit is lost if less
than 2.5% of votes cast in the region are polled by the party or
candidate).
Conditions: EU citizens must declare that they are not
seeking election to the European Parliament in any other member state.
Incompatibilities: Those laid down in
the 1976 Act on Elections to the European Parliament, as well as all rules
applying to national general elections. The dual mandate is now not allowed,
except for those MEPs who were members of the Westminster parliament during the
1999-2004 EP legislature (Council Decision 2002/772/EC).
4. POLLING DAY : 10 JUNE 2004
Other elections on the same day:
Greater London Authority, London Mayor, English municipalities.
Polling hours:
The count begins: varies.
Final results: varies.
5. VOTING / STANDING FOR ELECTION
Right to vote: All EU citizens aged 18
or over whose names appear on the electoral roll and who are in full possession
of their voting rights in their state of origin are eligible to vote (provided
they do not also vote in the election in their home Member State). In contrast
to national elections, Members of the House of Lords are allowed to vote in EP
elections. UK citizens living abroad and members of the armed forces must make
a declaration of eligibility in order to vote.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voting by post: anyone may register for
a postal vote. In certain constituencies all voting will be by post.
Right to stand for election: All EU
citizens resident in the UK aged 21 or over in full possession of their civic
rights in their country of origin may stand for election.
6. ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Funding: no public funding.
Official campaign starting date:
campaign funding is counted from 11 February.
Media access:
Opinion polls: Polls may be published
up to polling day. No exit polls to be published before 21h00 BST on 13
June.