How can you "Use Your Vote"?
Information for Polish citizens living in Ireland
I'm a Polish 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 Poland
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 Poland
You can vote in the European Elections in Poland...
If
- You are a Polish citizen,
- Aged 18 years or older on the day of the Elections,
- Are in full possession of your voting rights in Poland and
- Are registered in the register of voters in the Polish embassy.
How can I check if I'm registered in the voting register and how can I enrol? Is there a deadline for registration?
In order to participate in the European Election 2009 in Poland, you have to be registered with the Polish Embassy. The deadline for registration in the Embassy is two weeks before the day of the Elections. In order to register with the Embassy, please contact the Polish Embassy.
How can I vote in the European Elections in Poland?
If you are registered with the Polish Embassy, you can vote in the Embassy on the day of the Elections in Poland, 7 June. As the Polish Embassy will provide various polling stations for Polish citizens living in Ireland throughout Ireland, please contact the Polish Embassy to find out more about your nearest polling station.
Where can you find more information?
You can find more information on the website of the Polish Department for Foreign Affairs (www.msz.gov.pl) or get in contact with the Polish Embassy in Ireland:
Polish Embassy
5 Ailesbury Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel.: 01 283 0855
Fax: 01 269 8309
E-mail: info@dublin.polemb.net
Website: www.dublin.polemb.net
You can also download the information provided on this webpage as an information flyer
