Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2018/994Show full title

Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2018/994

of 13 July 2018

amending the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom of 20 September 1976

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 223(1) thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Parliament,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament(1),

Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

Whereas:

(1) The Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage(2) (‘the Electoral Act’), annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom(3), entered into force on 1 July 1978 and was subsequently amended by Decision 2002/772/EC, Euratom(4).

(2) A number of amendments are to be made to the Electoral Act.

(3) As a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the Council has to lay down the provisions necessary for the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage in accordance with a special legislative procedure.

(4) Transparency of the electoral process and access to reliable information are important for raising European political awareness and for securing a solid election turnout, and it is desirable that citizens of the Union be informed well in advance of elections to the European Parliament about the candidates standing in those elections and about the affiliation of national political parties to a European political party.

(5) In order to encourage voter participation in elections to the European Parliament and to fully take advantage of the possibilities offered by technological developments, Member States could provide for the possibilities of, inter alia, advance voting, postal voting, and electronic and internet voting, while ensuring, in particular, the reliability of the result, the secrecy of the vote and the protection of personal data, in accordance with applicable Union law.

(6) Citizens of the Union have the right to participate in its democratic life, in particular, by voting or standing as candidates in elections to the European Parliament.

(7) Member States are encouraged to take the measures necessary to allow those of their citizens residing in third countries to vote in elections to the European Parliament.

(8) The Electoral Act should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

(1)

Consent of 4 July 2018 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(2)

OJ L 278, 8.10.1976, p. 5.

(3)

Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom of 20 September 1976 (OJ L 278, 8.10.1976, p. 1).

(4)

Council Decision 2002/772/EC, Euratom of 25 June and 23 September 2002 amending the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, annexed to Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom (OJ L 283, 21.10.2002, p. 1).