New law opens voting opportunities for British expats

(By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London)

In a new development, British citizens living outside the United Kingdom, including Sri Lankan nationals holding British citizenship, are now entitled to participate in UK general elections. This significant change comes as a result of a recently enacted law effective from last week, eliminating the previous 15-year time bar on overseas voting eligibility.

The Electoral Commission is actively encouraging UK residents to disseminate this information and urge friends and family living abroad to ascertain their eligibility for voting. Collaborating with partner organizations, the Commission is working to inform eligible voters across the globe of their rights.

Under the new legislation, individuals who have previously resided in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to cast their votes in UK parliamentary elections. The registration process has been streamlined and made accessible through the online platform at gov.uk/registertovote. Notably, registrants will be required to verify their personal information every three years. Furthermore, in accordance with electoral law, those on an electoral register are granted permission to make contributions to political parties and campaigns.

Craig Westwood, the Director of Communications, emphasized the significance of this change, stating, “This adjustment provides an increased opportunity for British citizens residing abroad to actively participate in UK Parliament elections and contribute to the financing of political parties and campaigns.”

Recognizing the global reach of eligible voters, Westwood called upon individuals with connections abroad to help disseminate this crucial information. With a general election due this year, the Commission underscores the importance of ensuring that this newly enfranchised group of voters is well-informed about the change and can take prompt action. The online registration process, Westwood notes, can be completed in just five minutes.

British citizens living abroad will need to provide details of the address and time they were last registered or resident in the UK. Local authorities, which are responsible for the electoral roll in their area, must be able to verify an applicant’s identity and past connection to the area.

More information is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections

Voters living overseas can find contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place they lived in the UK, using the Commission’s postcode lookup tool.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

Resources for raising awareness are available on the Commission website.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/democratic-engagement-resources/overseas-voting-resources-friends-and-family