A question to the Minister of the Interior was submitted by eight New Democracy MPs, calling for the expansion of the number of preference crosses on the letter ballot, applied to the 2024 European elections, and in the national elections.

Members argue that this innovation has helped to strengthen transparency and control during the voting process, and are calling for it to establish it both in both national and self -governing elections, both for the letter and the voting vote.

In detail the question of the eight Members:

In the last European elections of June 2024, in addition to the commendable innovation of the letter vote, one more was introduced, namely the number of preference crosses in the letter ballot.

As is well known, the issue of counting the crosses of preference has, in the past, cause many controversy between candidates and judicial appeals. In his recent article on Sunday’s Kathimerini, Andreas Drymiotis, well -known for the electoral processes, notes:

“Crosses: A box was added to the letter of the European elections where the voter had to mark the multitude of crosses he put in. This should also be done in the national elections. It is well known to everyone that during the sorting of the ballots in the constituency, party representatives add crosses to candidates for their preference. This practice, which no one is aware of the extent, “flashes” the election of Members, without affecting the election result at the party level. He has to stop. ” (05.01.2025)

In addition to the justified praise due to the leadership of the ministry, which you today are, for what you have done, it is reasonable to complete this step of modernization and transparency with its expansion to both national and self -governing (municipal and regional) elections.

In this context, ask if there is intention, planning and timetable for expanding this arrangement. In other words, do you intend to legislate in favor of indication of the number of crosses of preference in each ballot paper, either letter or live?

The MPs

Dimitris Keridis Northern North Athens MP Athens
Theodoros Karaoglou MP of Thessaloniki Second Thessaloniki
Makarios Lazaridis MP of Kavala
Dimitris Markopoulos MP Piraeus B
Stylianos Petsas MP East Attica
George Kotsos Karditsa MP
Sophia Voultepsi Southern MP Athens B Athens
Pericles Mandas MP Messinia