The Greek diaspora has turned its back on the general election in Greece scheduled to be held after April, as only 3,500 Greeks living abroad have registered to vote thus far.
The upcoming election is the first time. Greek citizens outside Greece could vote without being present in Greece.
Until 2019, Greece was the only country in Europe—and perhaps the entire western world— where full citizens living abroad were denied the right to vote in Greek elections from the country of their residence, either by casting a ballot at the Greek embassy or through postal voting.
However, the conditions for someone to vote from the Greek embassy or consulate of his/her residence are discouraging for much of the diaspora. See why below.
How to vote?
Register on the government’s platform apodimoi.ypes.gr – using the codes they use for TaxisNet.
Once you input your codes on the platform, the system will automatically fill in your details.
You will also need to submit their permanent residence address, telephone and email.
Once submitted, the voter will receive a statement verifying that their application has gone through. They will either be placed on a unique electoral list of voters from abroad for eight years or informed if they are rejected.
Rejected applications can be appealed.
Voting centres abroad will be established in areas where at least 40 Greeks have expressed the desire to vote in elections.
Otherwise, Greek voters will need to travel to other areas within their respective countries to participate in elections.
The ability to accept postal votes is not permitted.
In the next elections, votes of Greeks abroad, many of whom have assets in Greece, will be equally counted as Greeks living in the country.
