A bill relaxing requirements for Greek citizens voting from abroad was approved by majority vote in plenary at Parliament on Tuesday.
A total of 208 of 300 deputies voted for the bill, 68 voted against, and 24 voted “present”. According to the Greek constitution, at least 200 votes were required for it to pass.
During the roll-call vote, the bill was approved in principle, by article, and in its entirety by deputies of ruling New Democracy, PASOK-Movement for Change (KINAL), Niki, and Plefsi Eleftherias. Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voted against it, while Spartans and Greek Solution voted “present”.
The bill is formally named “Revoking restrictions for the registration in special voter registration lists of voters living abroad” and is addressed to both Greek nationals living permanently abroad as well as to Greeks who happen to be abroad during election day.
Some of the restrictions the bill abolishes include the length of stay in Greece (2 years during the last 35 years) before voting and to have filed taxes during the current year or the previous one from the year of elections. These restrictions prevented the majority of voters abroad from participating in elections.
The Greek constitution provides the option of introducing voting restrictions on voting from abroad, but does not mandate them (Article 54, Paragraph 4), leaving that right up to Parliament.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
