Greeks living abroad will be able to participate in the upcoming national elections by postal vote, as all relevant provisions of the Interior Ministry’s bill were supported by at least 200 MPs.

Specifically, the articles of Part B of the draft law (Articles 13 to 25) were approved with 201 votes.

According to reports, the provisions on postal voting were backed by 156 MPs from New Democracy, 32 from PASOK, and 13 independent MPs: Ch. Katsivardas, S. Christidou, Th. Tzakri, M. Bourhan, G. Aspiotis, K. Malama, G. Poulou, Ath. Linou, Ev. Apostolaki, M. Chourdakis, K. Floros, P. Paraskevaidis, as well as former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Course of Freedom voted in favor of only certain provisions of Part B.

Article 13, which outlines the purpose of postal voting, also received support from Nina Kasimati of SYRIZA and the five MPs from Course of Freedom.

Detailed Voting Results on the Articles Introducing Postal Voting for Overseas Voters:

• Article 13: 207 in favor, 61 against, 28 present
• Article 14: 201 in favor, 61 against, 34 present
• Article 15: 201 in favor, 61 against, 34 present
• Article 16: 201 in favor, 61 against, 34 present
• Article 17: 201 in favor, 61 against, 34 present
• Article 18: 201 in favor, 66 against, 29 present
• Article 19: 201 in favor, 61 against, 34 present
• Article 20: 201 in favor, 48 against, 47 present
• Article 21: 201 in favor, 62 against, 33 present
• Article 22: 201 in favor, 67 against, 28 present
• Article 23: 201 in favor, 67 against, 28 present
• Article 24: 201 in favor, 62 against, 33 present
• Article 25: 202 in favor, 88 against, 6 present

It is noted that the articles concerning the creation of a new three-seat overseas constituency were approved by majority vote and will apply in elections held at least 18 months after the first electoral contest.