LONDON: Indian students studying in various British universities have received letters from local councils asking them to register to vote, failing which they would have to pay a fine of £80 (nearly Rs 8000).

Britain will hold its general parliamentary election on Thursday.

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who's registered to vote. This is usually maintained by the 300 plus strong local councils.

One can register to vote if they are 16 years old or over and a British citizen or an Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen who is resident in the UK.

A 16 or 17 year old can register but will be allowed to vote only when he or she is 18.

Indians who are a resident in the UK are eligible to register to vote in UK elections.

To qualify however, they require to be of the status "the leave to enter or remain in the UK".

An Indian student from a renowned London university told TOI "I received a letter almost threatening me to register to vote failing which a fine would be imposed".

Speaking to the TOI, an electoral commission officer explained "An Indian student in UK can't vote simply because he or she is a commonwealth country citizen.

They will have to have the leave to enter or remain in UK status on their passport. However sometimes local councils tie up with local asking them to provide the list of all those living in the campus. Councils then contact them asking to register failing which they would be imposed with a fine. However, everyone who is contacted isn't eligible".

"You won't be fined if you have a valid reason for not registering like a long stay in hospital or you have severe learning difficulties. The legislation for the fine was brought in but we aren't aware if it at all got imposed," the Commission told TOI.
People from over 60 countries will be eligible to vote on Thursday. This includes citizens of the European Union and British overseas territories.

In the UK, there are three different ways one can vote. Most people vote in person at a polling station. However, British citizens living in India can apply to vote by post or by proxy (where someone votes on your behalf).
Voting at polling stations will begin at 7am on Thursday and close at 10pm.

The electoral commission said "We tell returning officers that counting for UK parliamentary elections should start as soon as practicable within the period of four hours starting with the close of the poll".