The 2004 European elections were marked by a particularly low turnout. Reasons for abstention may differ from one region to the other but what is sure is that less than one voter out of two went to the polls.
While on average, the level of turnout in the 15 ‘old’ member states was 49.4%, in the ten new member states who yesterday celebrated there fifth EU birthday, only one fourth of registered voters casted there vote! Only Malta and Cyprus had a relatively high turnout (82% and 71% respectively).
What strikes me most is the fact that in 2004, Slovakia had the embarrassing lowest turnout - 16.7% while in the previous general elections, 70% of registered Slovakian voters went to the polls.
Will the new member states, including Romania and Bulgaria, miss the opportunity once again?
In Malta, this week, the House of Representatives approved a Bill amending the electoral law so that eligible voters who declare that they will be abroad on polling day at general, local or European Parliament elections may vote on the Saturday before.
Will this help repeat the feat of 2004 of 82.4% turnout? I guess not!
Much more Europeans need to follow the Estonians and allow online voting. Almost all Europeans are armed with an electronic ID Card, so there is no room for accusations of fraud.
(10 votes, average: 3.80 out of 5)
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Hi, Keith!
Why do you think more member states down allow online voting?
In the UK, there’s very strong opposition to the introduction of ID cards because of privacy fears.
Not sure about other countries, though!
Hi, Keith!
Why do you think more member states don’t have online voting?
In the UK, there’s very strong opposition to the introduction of ID cards because of privacy fears.
Not sure about other countries, though!
Bum.
Sorry for the double-post!
Josef,
Even in Malta, lawmakers are reluctant to introduce the online voting. Even is some preach that its the way forward, they still remain stale!
I’m convinced that politicians are afraid of such a move, since it might backfire towrds there own party!
Quoting averages in the case of the “old 15″ is not quite correct even because of the mandatory voting in Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, etc. On the other hand, it’s true that the young democracies of Central and Eastern Europe (Slovakia, Poland) have shown a terribly low turnout. But you should take into account that back in 2004 people in the region did not have a clue of what the European Parliament does. It’s up to the political parties to inform and “educate” their electorate and so far it seems they will fail this test one more time.