A DECEMBER general election is now a reality, but not everyone who lives in the UK can vote.
Only those with British, Irish, Cypriot or Maltese citizenship will be able to mark a ballot paper in the Christmas election. Here’s all you need to know.
Can EU citizens vote in a UK general election?
To put it simply – no.
EU citizens can vote in other elections in the UK, such as European Parliament or local councils. They can also join the electoral register.
They can also vote in police and crime commissioners, London mayoral and Assembly, Northern Ireland, Welsh and Scottish Parliament.
MPs desperately tried to change the rules on who could vote to allow them to take part in a pre-Christmas snap poll, but it failed to get the vote in the commons.
The only people who can vote in general elections have citizenship in Britain, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.
Why did Boris Johnson say no to votes for EU citizens?
He said that votes for EU citizens or 16-year-olds (something the Lib Dems especially fought for) would cause “administrative chaos” and would delay an election.
Some have criticised Mr Johnson for being strategic in this, as EU citizens would most likely back remain and back Labour or other left-wing parties.
“There are long-standing conventions that election laws should only be changed after appropriate consultation,” the Prime Minister’s spokesman said.
“The Electoral Commission warns against changing electoral laws less than six months before an election.”
A No10 spokesman added: “If you amend the votes by changing the franchise you are voting for a further delay.”
