How can you "Use Your Vote"?
Information for Czech citizens living in Ireland
I'm a Czech 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 the Czech Republic
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 the Czech Republic
You can vote in the European Elections in the Czech Republic...
If
- You are a Czech citizen,
- Aged 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Are in full possession of your voting rights in the Czech Republic and
- Are registered in the register of voters of the Czech Republic.
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 currently live in Ireland and you are the Czech citizen you have to be registered either in the national register in the Czech Republic or in the register of voters at the Embassy of the Czech Republic.
If you are registered at the Embassy register you are entitled to vote in the Czech Republic only with a "voličský průkaz" (electoral pass) issued by the embassy.
How can I vote in the European Elections in the Czech Republic?
Please consult the Czech Embassy for details on voting in the Embassy.
Where can you find more information?
You can find more information and forms on the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic (www.mvcr.cz) or you can get in contact with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ireland:
Embassy of the Czech Republic
57 Northumberland Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel.: (01) 668 1135
Fax: (01) 668 1660
E-Mail: dublin@embassy.mzv.cz
Website: www.mzv.cz/dublin
You can also download the information provided on this webpage as an information flyer
