The leftist coalition had already tried to establish the consular vote through a letter with a plebiscite in 2009, but only 37% of those qualified voted for the reform of the Constitution necessary. In 2013, the ruling party unsuccessfully tried the law again, which was finally approved by the parliamentary commission created in 2017 to deal with the issue. However, the text was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Justice in 2020.
a human right
In the new project, the Broad Front emphasizes that the right to vote is a human right, appealing to international treaties such as the Covenant on Civil and Political Rightsas well as the Constitution that establishes that “every citizen is a member of the sovereignty of the Nation and, as such, elector and eligible in the cases and forms that will be designated.”
Likewise, as long as the residence abroad does not cause loss of citizenshipit cannot be an impediment to vote, and that is how the front members understand it.
On the other hand, the FA initiative highlights that the Uruguayan diaspora contributes to the country development, with material contributions such as donations, remittances, sending money in case of natural disasters, tourism or scientific and technological research; and in the organization of cultural, sports or musical activities of national interest.
While the project leaves in the hands of the Electoral Court the way in which the law would be applied if approved, the right to vote would thus be guaranteed to all those who are registered in the National Civic Registry. Likewise, these people would be empowered to vote for president, vice president, deputies and senators, on the same date that the electoral act is held in Uruguay.
Source: Ambito
