Artikel 116 des Grundgesetzes

Artikel 116 des Grundgesetzes

Hmmm.  Laut Art. 116 des Grundgesetzes ist "vorbehaltlich anderweitiger gesetzlicher Regelung" meine Frau vielleicht Deutsch. 

Ich suche noch die anderweitiger gesetzlicher Regelung.  Mal sehen.

Apathy and ignorance - UK voters fail the PCC elections

UK electorate displayed unprecedented levels of apathy and ignorance at the PCC elections last week

They were the lucky ones.  Despite not having their votes taken from them by the British State, the vast majority of potential votes just couldn't be bothered.  See http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/nov/16/electorate-david-cameron-police-polls

It doesn't matter whether apathy or ignorance are to blame.  At the end of the day, it's up to them ... the public gets what the public votes for.  At least they were in a position to choose not to vote or to spoil their papers.

The merits of elected PCCs and the possibility of the politicisation of the police are important issues.  The disenfranchisement of expatriate UK citizens is a contravention of civil rights.

US Presidential Election - participation is everything

US Presidential Election - participation is everything

Election day is just around the corner and now the obligation is clearly in the hands of the electorate.  Despite the various schemes adopted of late and their potential impact on the demographic composition of the electorate, the voters now have their say.

If you have the right to vote in the presidential election, use that vote.  Use it wisely.

And make sure that as many of those who should be able to vote really get the opportunity.

No vote for police commissioners

No vote for police commissioners

Disenfranchising expatriate citizens is undemocratic, and probably illegal. Although the UK signed up the the ICCPR, thereby guaranteeing citizens' active and passive electoral rights, many expatriate citizens who would otherwise be enfranchised will be excluded from the police commissioners' elections.

Does the British state fear a partisan vote from abroad?  Why should citizens non-resident for 14 years be allowed to vote and those non-resident for longer be prohibited?

Democratic participation in the determination of the upper echelons of the judiciary is a good idea.  But to be meaningful, it needs to be properly democratic, not tuned according to the whims of the government.

If you are allowed to vote, use the opportunity.  More details here

Republicans' initiative leads to disenfranchisement (another view)

The Economist has some comment from the US discussing Republican attempts to disenfranchise the non ID bearing voters.  See http://www.economist.com/blogs/lexington/2012/09/art-voter-turnout

The interesting point is that, as the blogger mentions at the end of the article, this may end up giving a positive edge to the Democratic vote.

Republicans' disenfranchisement initiative

Republicans' disenfranchisement initiative

Just in time for the election in the US, the Republicans have been carefully trying to disenfranchise elements of the Democrats supporters within the electorate.

The article in Rolling Stone is here
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-gop-war-on-voting-20110830

Is there also gerrymandering going on, I wonder.

Disenfranchisement of UK expatriates

 Disenfranchisement of expatriated British citizens

 

Right to vote lost whilst living abroad

British citizens living outside the UK are allowed to continue voting in the UK for a maximum of 15 years.  After this point they become disenfranchised, but do maintain their citizenship.
The 15 year period has been shorter and longer and is set at the discretion of Parliament.  The limited period of enfranchisement is intended to reflect a disconnection of overseas elector with the UK.

Contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity ... To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors”.  The UK ratified the ICCPR in 1976, but continues to ignore its commitments to expatriate citizens by disenfranchising them after a 15 year period of non-residence.
The ICCPR can be browsed here http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm and downloaded in PDF from here http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/pdf/ccpr.pdf

The Ministry of Justice and its continuing silence on Article 25 of the ICCPR 

In May 2010 the Ministry of Justice Correspondence Unit was sent a letter asking what steps were planned to address the disparity between the UK’s commitment to overseas electors as expressed in the ICCPR and the disenfranchisement of the same British citizens after 15 years of non-residency.  You can see the letter here.
As of 24 August 2010, after a follow up email enquiry and two lengthy telephone calls to the Ministry, no response to the letter had been received nor had any acknowledgement of receipt of the letter.
Responsibility for electoral matters has, in the mean time, been transferred to the Cabinet Office.  As the Ministry of Justice was the responsible Ministry at the time of receipt of the letter, the obligation to respond remains with it.

Designated service leads to full citizenship but no franchise

British citizens living outside the UK and engaged in service representing the British government are considered to be in designated service in the terms of the British Nationality Act of 1981 and the provisions of the British Citizenship (Designated Service) Order 2006.  These citizens are able to pass on full citizenship (other than by descent) to their children.  Despite this recognition of their special status the franchise is not extended to them beyond the nominal period as laid out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Representation of the People Act 1985
Section 1, Paragraph 3 (c)
Valid for 5 years
Download here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1985/pdf/ukpga_19850050_en.pdf

Representation of the People Act, 2000
Schedule 2, Paragraph 2
Valid for 20 years
Download here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000002_en_1

Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act 2000
Part X, Paragraph 141
Valid for 15 years
Download here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000041_en_1