How can you "Use Your Vote"?
Information for Bulgarian citizens living in Ireland
I'm a Bulgarian citizen living in Ireland. Can I participate in the 2009 European Elections?
Yes, you can participate in the European Elections 2009. You have two options:
- You can vote in the European Elections in Ireland
or - You can vote in the European Elections in Bulgaria
Please be aware that you can only choose one of the above options.
How can I participate in the European Elections in Ireland?
You can participate in the European Elections 2009 in Ireland, if
- You are citizen of an EU Member State,
- Were 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Have been resident in Ireland since before 1 September 2008 and
- Are enrolled on the voting register the "Irish Register of Electors".
If you have registered in Ireland previously you can check if you are registered to vote in the European Elections at the offices of the registration authority and at public libraries, post offices and Garda stations(during working hours). You can also check the register online at www.checktheregister.ie.
If you are not already included in the Register for Electors, you can apply for entry into the supplement to the register. To do so you have to fill in an application form (RFA2), which you can obtain from you City/County Council or download from the "check the register" website (http://www.checktheregister.ie/Portals/128/RFA2%20English%20-%20form.pdf)
As an EU citizen you also have to fill in a form for registration as a European Elector (Form EP1) which you can obtain from your City/County Council or download from the following website: http://www.dlrcoco.ie/gp/European_Elector_Form.pdf
Your application form (RFA2) must be witnessed by a member of the Garda Síochána or, if you cannot go to your local Garda station, by an official of your local county or city council provided you state the reason why you were unable to attend a Garda Station.
Your application for entry in the supplement has to be received by your responsible registration authority at least 15 working days before polling day in order to be considered for the European Elections. Therefore your application has to be received by 18 May 2009.
Be aware:
You can only vote in one country
Ireland OR Bulgaria
You can vote in the European Elections in Bulgaria...
If
- You are a Bulgarian citizen,
- Aged 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Are in full possession of your voting rights in Bulgaria.
How can I check if I'm registered in the voting register and how can I enrol? Is there a deadline for registration?
If you want to participate in the European Elections in Bulgaria, you should inform the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ireland of your intention to vote. You can do so by a written declaration, by e-mail or by person until 17 May. If the Bulgarian embassy receives at least 20 declarations, they will open a voting section for the European Elections 2009. There is also the possibility to open a voting section in cities with no Bulgarian embassy or consulate, if at least 100 Bulgarian citizens express an intention to vote there. For further details please contact the Bulgarian embassy.
How can I vote in the European Elections in Bulgaria?
You can only participate in the European Elections in Bulgaria by vote in the embassy or at a designated voting section following the conditions mentioned above. If such a voting section is opened on the day of the European Election, there is no need to register before, but you can be added to the Electoral list on the day of the Elections, if you have not been registered in advance. For this, you will need to present a valid Bulgarian passport. For further details about your designated voting sections and details about opening hours on day of the Elections, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Where can you find more information?
You can find more information on website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.mfa.bg) or you can get in contact with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ireland:
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
22 Burlington Road
Dublin 4
Tel: (01) 660 32 93
Fax: (01) 660 39 15
E-mail: bulgarianembassydublin@eircom.net
Website: www.mfa.bg/dublin/
You can also download the information provided on this webpage as an information flyer
