The Chief Returning Officer reminds that voting at the polling stations, which will operate in the Republic for the 2026 Parliamentary Elections, begins at 7 a.m. and normally ends at 6 p.m., with an intermediate break of one hour at noon, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The same hours will apply to the polling stations that will operate in Greece, while the opening hours at the polling stations that will operate in the United Kingdom are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., local time, with a break from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., and at the polling station that will operate in Belgium is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local time, with a break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Voters are invited to go to the polls on time to exercise their right to vote.
Safeguarding the secrecy of the vote and protecting voters
The Chief Returning Officer emphasizes that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the secrecy of the voters' vote, with the aim of holding fair and objective elections.
The administrative and legislative arrangements are such as to ensure the complete secrecy of the voters' vote, including the enclaved and the imprisoned.
Voters, after receiving the ballot paper of the relevant constituency that will be given to them, must enter the voting booth to exercise their right to vote. In this way, the secrecy of their vote is fully ensured, since the entry and every movement of those entering the polling stations will be controlled, in a way that avoids any possibility of any other person influencing them.
It is noted that voters must check and make sure that the ballot paper given to them, by the responsible officials, is duly stamped, with the official seal of the Republic, so that it is considered valid.
Voters should be sure that under no circumstances can their identity be ascertained and nor is it possible for their choice to be ascertained afterwards, by any person.
