PACE calls on European States to grant local electoral rights to their citizens without residency requirements

[24/06/05] PACE called on Council of Europe member States and observers to grant local electoral rights to all their citizens (nationals), without imposing residency requirements.

The adopted text on Abolition of restrictions on the right to vote, the Assembly states that all legal residents are normally obliged to pay local taxes and their lives are directly affected by the decisions of local authorities.

Therefore, “the right to vote and to stand as candidates in local elections should be granted to all residents regardless of their nationality or ethnic origin.” However, in view of the possible conflict of loyalties between the country of which a person is a national and the country of residence, “the right to vote and stand as a candidate in national elections (parliamentary or presidential) should generally be attached to nationality”. (more…)

Adopted resolution

Adopted recommendation