The President of the Government announced on May 29 the advancement of the general elections. The date of its celebration would be Sunday, July 23, in the middle of summer and with many Spaniards on vacation far from their homes. Between some discontent and disapproval, a question arose in the face of these elections: What will happen if I get to the polling station and I have reserved my vacations?
The Central Electoral Board already responded to this question on June 8. This body agreed to exempt voters who have booked and paid for a trip before May 30, the date on which the general elections were officially called, and provided that the cancellation entails economic damage or serious disruption.
The municipalities have begun to send notifications to those designated by lottery to integrate the polling stations. All those who have been selected will have a period of seven days to present all the permissible allegations to avoid having to go to the tables on 23-J. In addition to having booked the vacation before May 30, there are other reasons to justify the absence.
People between 65 and 70 years old -those over 70 are excluded from the draw-, those who suffer from any situation of disability of any degree or a condition of absolute or temporary permanent incapacity for work can avoid going to the tables. Also a pregnancy, care of the infant, direct and continuous care, for reasons of legal guardianship of children under twelve years of age or of people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities or care of people who, due to age, accident or illness, cannot use By themselves, they are reasons to avoid coming to the table.
Among the allegations is also having been part of a polling station before, at least three times in the last ten years. Also being the victim of a crime, declared or presumed with a judicial resolution in force. The forecast of surgical intervention or relevant clinical tests on the day of the vote, in the days immediately preceding it, or on the day following it, can also be an excuse, provided that they cannot be postponed.
Other possible allegations are belonging to confessions or religious communities in which the ideology or the closure regime are contrary or incompatible with participation in a polling station. It can also be valued as an excuse to have to attend family events of special relevance, which cannot be postponed or in which the postponement causes significant economic damage.
Being the mother or father of minors under fourteen years of age, when it is proven that the other parent cannot take care of the minor during election day, and the person concerned also lacks ascendants or other older children who can do so, may be another of the allegations.
Those who must provide essential community services of vital importance, medical, health, civil protection, firefighters, are exempt from the obligation to go to the polling stations during election day. Also the directors of the general information media and the heads of the information services that must cover the election day and the professionals that must participate in public events to celebrate the day of the vote when they cannot be replaced.
Since the Zone Electoral Board receives the person’s allegations, it has a period of five days to make a decision. It will only be these organizations that can decide whether or not to accept the allegations.
If subsequently any of those designated could not attend, they should notify the JEZ at least 72 hours before the electoral appointment, presenting the pertinent justifications.
With the notification of the designation, the members of the tables are given an instruction manual and they are also entitled to a reduction in their work day of five hours the next day and a diet of 65 euros.
