Parliamentary Election

Every citizen over 18 has the right to vote in free elections to the House of Commons, although voting is not compulsory. Election takes place by secret ballot. Britain is divided into 651 constituencies, each of which is represented by one MP. The average number of voters in a constituency is between 35,000 and 70,000.

Any British citizen, with few exceptions, can stand for election to the Commons if aged 21 or over.

Elections to the Commons have to be held at least once every five years. If a Commons member resigns or dies during the life of a Parliament, a by-election is held.

Candidates are normally chosen by the local constituency organisations of the main political parties. A shortlist is usually drawn up by the local party committee and although arrangements vary between the parties, ordinary party members have a day in which candidate is chosen to fight the election.

Local campaigning intensifies in the three-to-four week period before polling day and rival party support by door to door visits. Public meetings give voters the chance to find out more about the candidates and the different party policies. Leading in market squares and shopping centres by candidates and their supporters keeps local issues alive.

On polling day party workers try to increase the party vote by calling on supporters and reminding them of the importance of the election.

The amount of money that a candidate can spend on an election is limited by law. This is intended to prevent corruption and to deny wealthy candidates or parties an unfair advantage over others.

The candidate obtaining the largest number of votes in a constituency is elected as an MP.

British voters also choose their representatives to the European Parliament, which monitors the action of the European Union. Direct elections take place in all the Union member states every five years.

The maximum amount of expenses for a candidate is ₤4, 642 plus 3,9 pence for each elector in a borough constituency, or 5,2 pence for each elector in a county constituency. Candidates’ election addresses to electors are posted free of charge.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20