Anomalies in out-of-country voting

8.1.2018

Question for written answer E-000022-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE) , Josep-Maria Terricabras (Verts/ALE)

There have been many instances reported in recent days of Catalans living abroad who encountered problems at Spanish consulates while attempting to exercise their right to vote in the election to the Catalan Parliament on 21 December 2017.

There are currently 39 521 people on the register of voters living abroad permanently and a further 2 663 on the register for voters who are out of the country on a temporary basis. In some of these instances — reported in Mexico, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, including in Europe — voting papers either reached their addressees late or did not arrive at all.

Election observers have also reported that, in some instances, the count could not be carried out properly as only ballots cast in person were registered.

1. Does the Commission aware that the right of Catalans living abroad to vote has been breached?

2. Does the Commission believe that out-of-country voting in the December 2017 Catalonian parliamentary elections was carried out in a manner consistent with the values of the rule of law as enshrined in Article 2 of the TEU?

3. What action will it take to ensure that anomalies in out-of-country voting do not repeat themselves?