How can you "Use Your Vote"?
Information for Slovak citizens living in Ireland
I'm a Slovak 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 Slovak 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 Slovak Republic
Can I participate in the European Elections 2009 in Slovakia, although I have my permanent residence in Ireland?
No, if you are a Slovak citizen living in Ireland and do not longer have a permanent residence in Slovakia you will not be allowed to participate in the European Elections in Slovakia.
However, as you are an EU citizen living in Ireland, you have the right to vote in the European Elections in Ireland.
In order to vote in the European Elections in Ireland, please look at the instructions on the front page of this flyer.
Where can you find more information?
You can find more information on the website of the Slovakian Ministry of Interior (www.minv.sk) or you can get in contact with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ireland:
Embassy of the Slovak Republic
20 Clyde Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Phone: (01) 6600012 / 6600008
Fax: (01) 6600014
Email: slovak@iol.ie
You can also download the information provided on this webpage as an information flyer
