British General Election Timeframe: Announcement of Election Date and Voting Schedule
The British General Election is a highly-anticipated event that determines the future of the country’s leadership and political direction. It is held every five years, or sooner if the government loses a vote of no confidence or if the prime minister decides to call an early election. For this year’s election, the UK will have its say on Thursday, December 12, 2019.
Announcing the Election Date: 29 October 2019
In the weeks leading up to the scheduled announcement, speculation abounded over when the vote would take place. Finally, on October 29, 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson made it official that a new General Election would occur on December 12. This gave political parties and campaigns less than two months to prepare their strategies and appeal to voters.
Registering to Vote: Deadline of 26 November 2019
As with any election, one must be registered to vote in order to participate. The deadline for registering to vote in the 2019 UK General Election was November 26, 2019. Registrants can do so online or through the post, but they must have a valid reason for their address, be over 18, and be a British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizen with a permanent residence in the UK.
Postal and Proxy Votes: Deadline of 5pm on December 4
For voters who are unable to make it to the polling stations on the day of the election, there are two other options: voting by post or voting by proxy. Postal votes must be received by the local election office by 10 pm on election day, while applications for proxy votes were accepted until 5pm on December 4.
Campaigning: from 29 October to 12 December
As soon as the election date was announced, parties and candidates began campaigning in earnest. This involves canvassing (going door-to-door to talk to voters), participating in televised debates, and publishing policy proposals. Campaigning is a vital part of the election process, as it allows parties to build support and sway undecided voters. However, excessive electioneering is frowned upon by some people, and candidates must follow strict guidelines set by the Electoral Commission.
Counting the Votes: 12 December 2019, from 10pm onward
After months of speculation, campaigning, and heated debates, it’s finally time for the public to cast their votes. The polls opened at 7am on the day of the election, and remained open until 10pm. After that, ballot boxes are transported to local counting centres, where each individual vote is tallied. A result usually becomes clear in the early hours of the following day, although the final result may not be officially confirmed until days later.
Conclusion
The UK General Election is a democratic process that allows every citizen over the age of 18 to make their voice heard. The 2019 election saw sharp divisions between the major parties over Brexit, the National Health Service, and public spending, among other issues. Regardless of which party wins, this election will have a profound impact on the future of the UK.
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