European Parliament in the run up to the June 2004 elections, April 2004

There is concern across the EU that voters turn out in adequate numbers to ensure the credibility of the results in the June elections to the European Parliament. In the UK turnout in 1999 was only 24%. This time the European Parliament London Office has set up a website at http://www.europecounts.org.uk to provide straightforward information about the 10th June elections. The site was designed by the London-based communications company Eurobandits in a style that is very different from the usual official websites - deliberately so, as it seeks to engage the general public and encourage participation. One way it tries to do this, for example, is by including quotes from celebrities. Along with information about the work of the European Parliament and a guide to the EU, there is information about the elections, the voting system, regional distribution of representatives and how people can vote. Once final nominations close in May, lists of candidates will be included on the site. As well as FAQs, the news and events section, and an EU Jargon-Buster glossary, there are more gimmicky and interactive elements. People can sign up for a reminder to vote, take part in a quiz against the clock or explore the Get Involved section which encourages citizens to ask for information packs and other resources as well as participate in the campaign. The “Ask Alice” feature allows people to ask questions not covered on the site by submitting them by e-mail. The responses will be provided by the EP London Office Library. As well as high profile media coverage of the EuropeCounts site at launch there is also a link to it on the home page of the EP London Office website at http://www.europarl.org.uk. It will be interesting to see what interest it attracts.

Looming even closer than the election date is the enlargement date of 1st May. Presented in the same way as the EP database of MEPs, there is now a database of observers from the acceding countries which can be found at http://www2.europarl.eu.int/observateurs/obsbygpc.jsp?lng=en. It includes brief biographical details with a photograph, contact information, political allegiance and records of the committees which observers will be attending.