Brussels, 21/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on 20 November, the European Parliament adopted new rules aiming to make it easier for the citizens to vote in European elections and also to make it easier for them to stand for these elections in their member state of residence, if this is different from their country of origin. Six years ago, the European Commission proposed a review of directive 93/109/EC, which governs the conditions for citizens originally from a country other than the one in which they reside to take part in the European elections, but the Council, which was unable to agree, blocked the dossier in 2008, the Commission explains in a press release. Discussions then finally resumed in October 2011. In Strasbourg on Tuesday, the MEPs more specifically adopted the report by the Italian Carlo Casini (EPP) by 618 votes against 23 and 14 abstentions. The new rules will make life easier for citizens wishing to stand in European elections, for example by removing the obligation upon them to apply to their state of origin for a certificate proving that they have not forfeited any of their civic rights; the burden of proof will now lay with the electoral authorities of the member state of residence. The Council has already adopted these rules. The Parliament, for its part, has opted for an accelerated procedure to allow the new provisions to be in place in time for the 2014 elections. (SP/transl.fl)