Slovak PRO Calls on President to Preserve Postal Voting for Expats

Bratislava/New York, 2 April (TASR) - Slovak PRO, a non-profit organisation representing 3,000 plus Slovaks living in the United States and Canada, has called for postal voting in parliamentary elections for those living abroad to be preserved, addressing its concerns to President Peter Pellegrini in an open letter, TASR has learnt from Slovak PRO board member Brano Vargic. "In the open letter addressed to the president, we expressed serious concerns over the current proposal to restrict postal voting for Slovak nationals living abroad and asked him for support in preserving this form of voting," said Slovak PRO. Members of the community have long assisted Slovak companies to enter the North American market, also connecting experts and entrepreneurs, supporting cultural initiatives and helping Slovaks abroad to navigate difficult situations, stated the organisation. "For many Slovaks living abroad, participating in elections is not only a civic duty but also an important expression of togetherness with the Slovak Republic. Should the possibility to vote be restricted exclusively to appearing in person at diplomatic missions, it would impose a major logistical, financial and time-consuming burden on a large portion of the diaspora," warned Slovak PRO. Lawmakers from the governing Smer-SD party have submitted to Parliament an amendment to the law on conditions for exercising voting rights. The proposal introduces a new method of voting abroad, whereby voters would cast ballots at diplomatic missions instead of by post. It also seeks to extend the option of voting from abroad to presidential elections. jrg/df