European Parliament Elections in the North West – what you need to know

The countdown has begun to European Parliament Elections which will take place on Thursday 23 May.

More than five million people across North West England, including Blackburn and Darwen, will have the opportunity to vote in these elections to select the region’s eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs.)

Verification, or official checking, of the votes will take place on Friday 24 May and the count and results announcement will take place on Sunday 26 May after polls close across Europe.

People will not be able to vote unless they are on the Electoral Register. If you are not registered already, visit the GOV.UK website and register by the Tuesday 7 May deadline.

European Union citizens living in the North West, are eligible to vote in either the United Kingdom or in their country of origin but not both. To vote in the United Kingdom, they must be registered to vote and have completed an additional form.

The deadline for the return of this form is also Tuesday 7 May.

Anyone who is on the electoral register can choose to register to vote by post. Applications for a postal vote in this election must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 8 May. The deadline for proxy votes is 5pm on Wednesday 15 May. Find out more.

A full list of candidates for the European Parliament Elections will be published at 5pm on Thursday 25 April.

Denise Park, Returning Officer for Blackburn with Darwen, said:

It is important that people use their vote in this election while we continue to be a part of the European Union as it will choose your representatives in the European Parliament and help make your voice heard.

I would like to thank everyone at Blackburn with Darwen Council who has worked on the planning for these elections, which were not certain to take place until quite recently. Planning had been taking place just in case and thanks to everyone’s hard work we are fully prepared for the election.”

Joanne Roney OBE, Regional Returning Officer for the European Parliament Elections in the North West, said:

While the circumstances around these elections are somewhat unexpected, this election gives people the opportunity to elect the politicians who will represent them in Europe until such point as the UK leaves the European Union.

“Election teams across the North West are focused on the effective organisation of these elections and we don’t want anyone to miss out on their right to vote because they are not registered.”