Consulate General of Italy
London
Elections for the renewal of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic of Italy
February 24/25, 2013
How to vote abroad – important voting information
WHAT THE ELECTIONS ARE FOR
Italian citizens who live abroad vote for the candidates of the foreign Constituency to elect 12 Deputies and 6 Senators.
-The area known as “Europe” which includes the United Kingdom, will elect 5 Deputies and 2 Senators.
-The area known as “South America” will elect 4 Deputies and 2 Senators.
-The area known as “North and Central America” will elect 2 Deputies and 1 Senator.
-The area known as “Africa, Asia, Oceania and Antarctica” will elect 1 Deputy and 1 Senator.
WHO CAN VOTE
All Italian citizens registered on the “Registry of Italian Citizens Resident Abroad” (A.I.R.E.) in the Countries with whom Italy has signed specific agreements have the right to vote. Italian citizens over the age of 25 may vote for candidates in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of Italy; Italian citizens over the age of 18, but under 25, may vote for candidates to the Chamber of Deputies only.
HOW TO VOTE
The vote is by post, as per Law 459/2001 and Presidential Decree 104/2003. In particular:
(a) The Consulates send to each elector an envelope containing the following:
-the electoral certificate (which proves the right to vote)
-the lists of candidates in the elector’s area (Chamber of Deputies and Senate of the Republic)
-the ballot paper(s) (one for the Chamber of Deputies and one for the Senate of the Republic)
-one small white envelope
-one large pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope in which to return the ballot paper(s) to the Consular Office
-this information sheet
(b) Electors under the age of 25 on February 24th, 2013 will receive the list of candidates and the ballot for the Chamber of Deputiesonly
(c) Electors express their vote by making one single mark (such as an “X” or a “/”) upon the logo of the list of their choice or, anyway, inside the rectangle containing the logo, using a blue or black ballpoint pen only;
(d) Electors can also indicate their candidate preferences by writing the surname of the candidate on the line next to the logo of the list of their choice (max twopreferences for the areas which elect at least two Deputies or Senators; max one preference for other areas)
(e)The ballot paper(s) must be folded along the dotted line and placed in the white envelope, which must be securely sealed and must containonly the ballot papers.
(f)The counterfoil must be detached along the perforated line from the electoral certificate and placed in the large pre-stamped envelope (pre-addressed to the Consular Office) together with the small white envelope containing the ballot paper(s).
(g)The large pre-stamped envelope with its contents must be sent by post so as to arrive at the Consular Office no later than 4:00 pm on Thursday February 21, 2013.
(h)All envelopes received after 4:00 pm on Thursday February 21, 2013 will not be scrutinized and will be destroyed.
IMPORTANT NOTE
No distinguishing marks may be made on the ballot paper(s), on the small white envelope or on the detached counterfoil
Do not write your name on the pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelope
The small white envelope and the ballot paper(s) must be intact
The vote is personal, free and secret. It is forbidden to vote more than once. Any infringement of the law will be punished.
Please visit the following websites: or for more information on how to vote and how to return the ballot paper(s).