Summer Parliamentary Elections Open for Czechs Abroad

Advance registration necessary

The elections to the Lower House of the Parliament of the Czech Republic are scheduled for  Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15, 2002. For the first time in history, Czech Embassies and Consulates throughout the world will serve as polling stations. All Czechs abroad participating in the elections will vote  for candidates from the South Moravian region, as decided by a random draw on February 6, 2002. Those who wish to vote are required to register with Czech Embassy or Consulate General in their area. Registration must be done by May 5, 2002. By this date, all prospective voters should submit, either in person or in writing, the following documents: proof of identity and Czech citizenship (one of the following: a Czech passport, personal I.D./obcansky prukaz/ or certificate of citizenship) and proof of residence (government-issued I.D.). If a photograph does not appear on citizenship certificate, another photo I.D. must be submitted.

Once registered with the Embassy or Consulate General (not later than May 5, 2002), voters must appear in person on June 14 or 15 to participate. A valid Czech passport must be presented on any of the election days.

Any Czech citizen without a valid Czech passport is strongly recommended  to apply for one immediately, since the procedure to issue a passport may take up to three months.

For more information on the elections (in English and Czech), please see the Embassy web page www.mzv.cz/washington

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