Recital (9)

In order to facilitate the exercise by Union citizens of their right to vote and to stand as a candidate in their country of residence, such citizens should be entered on the electoral roll in sufficient time in advance of polling day. The formalities applicable to their registration should be as simple as possible. In order to be registered, it should be sufficient for the Union citizens concerned to produce a valid identity document and a formal declaration that includes elements demonstrating their entitlement to participate in the elections. Once registered, non-national Union citizens should remain on the electoral roll under the same conditions as Union citizens who are nationals of the Member State concerned, for as long as they satisfy the conditions for exercising the right to vote. Where applicable, Union citizens should be able to provide the competent authorities with contact information, enabling those authorities to keep them informed on a regular basis.