Let’s enjoy our freedom of choice, not take it for granted

This guest blog post is brought to you by Yoana Atanasova, a Performance Assistant in Customer Communications & Improvement. Following the European Parliamentary Elections and ahead of the Scottish Independence Referendum Yoana, who originally hails from Bulgaria, was intrigued by the option to vote by post in the UK.

Let’s enjoy our freedom of choice, not take it for granted – By Yoana Atanasova

I was very pleased to hear that there has been an increase in Aberdeenshire residents voting in this year’s EU elections than five years ago. And for me this was the first time I voted not only abroad but also from the comfort of my flat.

Regardless of my initial assumption that the registration and submission process may be too complicated, I decided to give postal voting a try. To my surprise, the registration guidelines and forms online were very clear and it took me barely a few minutes to fill them in and submit. My vote papers came through the post just a few days after and I had plenty of time to send them back within the deadline, for free!

As an active EU citizen, I truly enjoyed exercising my rights to vote but also to have the option to do it at my own convenience from home. Where I am originally from, elections always take place during the weekend (usually at Sundays) to ensure plenty of time for people to allow for a visit the electoral office. However, considering the technological advancements we have at hand today, I have always wondered why voting online is still not available anywhere. Interestingly enough though, due to the slow post services back in my home country, a postal vote would not even occur to me as a viable alternative at all. Hence my initial scepticism to try it out here.

However, I was very pleasantly impressed how smooth the process actually went. And I would strongly encourage everyone to consider this option available for exercising their civil right in the next elections.

By all means, regardless of class, origins or political belonging, we have to be responsible citizens in the first place. Even if only as a gesture of gratitude for all the simple things we may take for granted but which may, however, be a luxury elsewhere.

My experience gave me an inspiring feeling of belonging to a community with greater values. A community where people’s time and freedom of choice are truly cherished. And that’s how it should be in a forward-looking society of the 21st century.

And may I take this opportunity to send my wholehearted gratitude to the electoral and registration team for their hard work in making this be the case in Aberdeenshire.

Thank you!