14/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the Commission presented a report on application of the 1993 directive during the elections at the European Parliament in 2004. The directive in question sets out the arrangements for exercise of voting rights and eligibility at EP elections for Union citizens residing in a Member Sstate other then their Member State of origin. The report above all notes an increase in the participation of Union citizens of voting age residing in a Member State other than their Member State of origin. More than one million EU citizens registered on the electoral rolls in their Member State of residence in 2004, i.e. 11.94% (5.9% in 1994 and 9% in 1999). The Commission, moreover, suggests amending the directive, in order to guarantee less unwieldy procedures for candidates and Member States while providing the necessary guarantees against abuse such as double voting and double candidature. (bc)
European Parliament Plenary Session