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<p>The Government has no plans to establish polling stations in other countries in
the foreseeable future. However, the Government previously took action to make postal
voting a more feasible option for overseas voters by lengthening the electoral timetable
and removing the restriction on issuing postal votes ahead of the postal vote application
deadline. Overseas voters can also appoint a proxy voter in the United Kingdom on
their behalf. Introducing the use of embassies or consulates as polling stations would
raise logistical and security issues in delivering, returning and counting ballot
papers from embassies.</p><p><strong><br></strong>Rapid international postal services
are not used to send postal ballot packs to overseas electors in order to keep the
cost to the public purse reasonable when administering national elections. We will
assess the balance between cost-effectiveness, and the importance of ensuring that
overseas voters are able to engage in the democratic process, further in advance of
future elections.</p>
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