Frequently asked questions
When will the elections be held?
Polling day for the European Parliamentary Elections in the UK is 7am until 10pm on Thursday 4 June.
Who can vote?
Citizens of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta are eligible to vote in all UK and European Parliamentary Elections. If you are a citizen of one of the other European Union countries, you can register to vote in the UK at the European Parliamentary Election rather than in your home country.
To be eligible to vote in the next European Parliamentary Election, you must be on the electoral register by no later than 19 May 2009. You can find out more about electoral registration by contacting your local council.
How can I find out if I am eligible to vote?
To find out if you are on the electoral register you should contact the elections office at your local council.
Who will I be voting for?
The closing date for nominations is 5 pm on 7 May 2009 and the full list of candidates will be published on this website as soon as possible after that.
When will the results be announced and how can I find out?
The results of the election will be announced after 9pm on Sunday 7 June. This is because polls do not close across Europe until this point.
Who is my MEP?
There are currently 9 MEPs who represent the North West in the European Parliament but after 2009 elections this will reduce to 8. Serving North West MEPs are:
| Name | Political Party | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary TITLEY | Labour |
| 2 | Den DOVER | Conservative |
| 3 | Chris DAVIES | Liberal Democrat |
| 4 | Arlene MCCARTHY | Labour |
| 5 | John WHITTAKER | UKIP |
| 6 | David SUMBERG | Conservative |
| 7 | Brian SIMPSON | Labour |
| 8 | Sir Robert ATKINS | Conservative |
| 9 | Sajjad Haider KARIM | Liberal Democrat |
You can find out more about your MEPs on the European Parliament Website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch/search.do?country=GB&zone=North+West&language=EN
What is the European Parliament?
The European Parliament represents more than 500 million citizens in the 27 Member States of the European Union.
The European Parliament has a big influence on the lives of citizens of the European Union and is the only EU body that is directly elected by the people. The European Parliament helps to draft new laws that apply in all member states and in turn have an impact upon your life. Major areas that the European Parliament influences are on environmental protection, energy security, work, equal opportunities, finance, consumer rights and the European Parliament has some budgetary powers too. You can find out more about the European Parliament by visiting their website http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/default_en.htm?language=EN
Why should I vote?
By voting in the European Parliamentary Elections you help to choose who will influence your future and the daily life and the lives of half a billion other European citizens for the next five years.
Your MEPs represent you on issues such as transport, immigration, defence, climate change and many more - don't miss the chance to have your say.
How do I report suspected electoral fraud?
Electoral Fraud is a criminal offence and so please contact your local police station as soon as possible if you suspect that fraud has been or will be committed.