On August 21, the upper house of the Czech Parliament, the Senate, passed a law that opens up new opportunities for Czech citizens living abroad. From now on, they will be able to participate in national elections and elections to the European Parliament by voting by mail, writes “European truth”.
It is noted that 56 out of 68 senators supported this bill, which allows absentee voting. Now the law will be sent to the President of the Czech Republic for signature, and after its signing it will enter into force.
This decision is a continuation of changes in the electoral legislation of the Czech Republic, which began with the adoption of the corresponding law by the lower house of the parliament back in July. The new law will ensure the right to vote for Czech citizens living abroad in presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as in elections to the European Parliament.
To participate in postal elections, citizens will need to register on the voter list at the local embassy. Until now, those living abroad could only vote in person, which often required them to travel long distances to polling stations.
However, this law does not provide for the possibility of voting by mail for those who are abroad for a short period of time, for example, while on vacation.
It is planned that the first vote under the new rules will take place at the parliamentary elections in 2025. Similar legislative changes have already been adopted in other countries, in particular in Moldova and Poland, where the Sejm allowed postal voting for all voters, both in the country and abroad.
