Greeks living abroad participated in Greece’s national elections by casting their votes at various polling stations across the globe.
Saturday marked the second time that the diaspora had the opportunity to take part in the democratic process in their countries of residence. Notably, due to the time difference, the first Greeks to cast their votes were in Sydney and Melbourne, the only two polling centers in Australia.
A total of 25,610 Greeks registered in the special electoral rolls abroad exercised their right to vote in 35 countries worldwide. To accommodate the voters, polling stations were established in 85 cities, including embassies, consulates, Greek Orthodox Church premises, and Greek community buildings. These stations remained open from 7am to 7pm local time.
The decision to establish polling stations was based on a threshold of at least 40 registered voters in a particular location. As expected, the largest concentrations of Greek voters were found in European cities. London had the highest number of registered voters with 4,414, followed by Brussels with 1,716, Amsterdam with 1,055, and Bern with 1,008. Other cities with significant Greek populations included Nicosia, Paris, Berlin, Munich, The Hague, and Luxembourg.
The voting process for Greeks abroad differed slightly from those within Greece. After the polling stations closed, officials at the overseas locations simply tallied the number of votes without opening the envelopes. Subsequently, the sealed ballots were sent to Athens, where the final counting would take place after the conclusion of voting in Greece.
The participation of Greeks living abroad in the national elections demonstrates the commitment of the diaspora to remain engaged with their homeland. The ability to cast their votes in various countries reflects the importance of inclusivity and ensuring that the voices of all Greeks are heard, regardless of their geographical location.
Source: Ekathimerini.
