Parties target Czechs abroad ahead of first postal voting in parliamentary elections

Ahead of October’s parliamentary elections, Czech political parties are stepping up efforts to reach citizens living abroad, who can for the first time vote by post. Over 17,600 voters have registered so far, though the foreign ministry says the earlier estimate of 50,000 is unlikely to be met before the 24 August deadline. The Pirates launched a “Elections Without Borders” (“Volby bez hranic”) website to guide voters through the process, while Mayors and Independents Party (STAN) promoted postal voting through debates in Berlin and London. Freedom and Direct Democracy and other parties are relying mainly on social media to reach overseas voters.