Sutaj Estok Not Aware of Any Plans to Change Voting by Mail from Abroad

Bratislava, 25 February (TASR) - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) said on Wednesday that he isn't aware of any plans to change to voting by mail from abroad. "When it comes to electoral laws, we in Voice-SD have been saying for a long time that our aim is to change one electoral constituency and return power to the hands of regions. That is a priority. We are ready to support such a change at any time, but I have no information about any other changes," said Sutaj Estok. Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) doesn't think that the coalition would plan to abolish the option of voting by mail from abroad. However, he admits that he himself would "take a look at it". He isn't okay with the fact that those who have been living abroad long-term want to vote and decide on the country's direction. "It's simply not right if people, who live abroad for decades and come to Slovakia only when they need to see doctors or get their teeth done, want to decide about the country without really knowing what life really like here," Takac explained. Investment Ministry State Secretary Radomir Salitros thinks that statements about the scrapping of voting by mail are mere speculations. The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) came up with the information on the alleged plans to restrict voting from abroad on Tuesday (24 February). This could be done through an amendment to the law, whereby instead of voting by mail, as it is possible now, Slovak citizens living abroad would have to visit an embassy and cast their vote there. PS said it had obtained the information from several offices and ministries. ko/mcs