DHAKA, May 29, 2024 (BSS) - British citizens living abroad are now eligible
to register to vote in the United Kingdom (UK) general elections, regardless
of how long they have been living outside the UK.

A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit, according to an
official release issued by the British High Commission in Dhaka today.

Supporting the awareness-raising campaign of the UK's Electoral Commission,
the British High Commission Dhaka is calling on British residents living in
Bangladesh to check if they are eligible.

The Commission is the independent and impartial organisation that oversees
elections in the UK, the release added.

It said: "Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in
the UK now have the right to vote in UK parliament elections. They can
register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their
personal information every three years."

Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered a permissible donor to
UK political parties and campaigners.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said: "A change in UK law
means that more British citizens living abroad are now eligible to vote in UK
Parliament elections. It's important that eligible people are made aware of
the changes so that they can register to vote and cast a ballot when the time
comes."

 "If you used to live in the UK or know anyone who did, let them know they
may be able to have their say at the next UK general elections. It only takes
five minutes to register, and it can be done online at gov.uk/registertovote.
It's also now possible to apply online to vote by post or proxy," she added.

Applicants will need to provide details of the address and time they were
last registered or resident.

Local authorities must be able to verify an applicant's identity and past
connection to the area.

Many voters living abroad choose to apply for absent votes. Applications to
vote by post or proxy in Great Britain can now also be done online.

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and
regulates political finance in the UK.