By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
The Election Timeline and Voter Eligibility
On Thursday, millions of people across the United Kingdom are expected to vote in a pivotal general election that will determine the country’s leadership. This election marks the first opportunity since December 2019 for voters to choose their local Member of Parliament (MP) in Westminster. Polling stations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be open from 07:00 BST (02:00 EST) until 22:00. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the 4 July election date in a televised address on 22 May, initiating a six week campaign period. According to regulations, the vote had to be called by 17 December, five years from the start of the previous Parliament.
Eligible voters include anyone over 18 on polling day who is registered on the UK electoral roll. This encompasses UK citizens, qualifying Commonwealth citizens, and citizens of the Republic of Ireland residing in the UK. Additionally, UK citizens living abroad can vote in the constituency where they were last registered. However, prisoners serving a sentence and members of the House of Lords are not eligible to vote in general elections.
The Stakes and Aftermath of the Election
All 650 MP seats in the House of Commons are up for election. The UK employs a first past the post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency becomes the MP. They do not need a majority of all votes cast, just more than any other candidate. The party winning the most seats gains the opportunity to form the next government.
Results will be announced overnight and into Friday morning. Following the count, the King invites the leader of the party with the most MPs to form a government. If no party secures a majority of at least 326 seats, resulting in a hung parliament, the largest party may form a coalition government or operate as a minority government, needing support from other parties to pass legislation.
The leader of the party with the most MPs becomes the Prime Minister, confirmed through an official conversation with the King. This individual leads the UK government, setting its direction and priorities, and representing the country internationally. The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the Leader of the Opposition, tasked with challenging and scrutinizing government decisions in the House of Commons.
