The European Parliament elections take place every five years. MEPs are elected by proportional representation (PR). Instead of electing one person to one seat in each constituency, the UK is divided up into regions, and several MEPs are elected from each region. Scotland is one electoral region and returns six MEPs out of 72 for the UK.
"Most people think that the work of the European Parliament has little impact on our lives and therefore don't feel it's worth voting," said Tom Aitchison, Scotland Regional Returning Officer for the European elections. "The reality is that important decisions are made in Brussels that affect us all, including issues relating to the economy, employment, climate change, immigration and crime. By making sure you are registered to vote, you can have your say in these and other elections."
Andy O'Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland office cautioned against assuming that you are already on the electoral register because you pay council tax or if you have recently moved house. "It's simple to register, all you need to do is go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk print out the form and send it to your electoral registration officer."
As part of its campaign to get the vote out the Electoral Commission enroled the pupils of Dalry Primary School (pictured) who took part in a European quiz.
People have to be registered by 19 May to vote. In the Lothians you can register by calling 0131 344 2500 to request an application form or you can download a registration form www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
Who can vote?
You can register to vote if you live in the UK and are aged 18 or over on polling day and a British, Irish Republic, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. British citizens living overseas are also eligible to vote if they have been registered in the UK in the past ten years. Members of the UK armed forces serving abroad can also vote.
Full time students may register at both their term-time and home addresses and vote at both these addresses for local elections to separate local authorities. Voters may only vote once in elections to the UK Parliament, EU Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly and National Assembly for Wales. They may vote at whichever address they choose, but it is a criminal offence to vote more than once at these elections.
What is the electoral Commission?
The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. They aim to raise public understanding of the way our democracy works and provide guidance to ensure a well run electoral registration process and well run elections. The responsibility for running elections and overseeing the count lies with Returning Officers and the Electoral Commission reports afterwards on the administration of elections in the UK.