How to Vote

Elections to the Network Assembly are conducted by the Elections Commission of the Velocity Interoperability Network. Every elector has two votes: a constituency vote, cast for one candidate standing in the constituency where the elector is registered, and a Network vote, cast for one of the Network lists. Twelve members are returned from the constituencies and eight from the lists.

You may vote if you are a citizen of the Velocity Interoperability Network aged 18 or over on polling day, or a member of staff of a member organisation who has been continuously accredited for twelve months on polling day, and your name appears on the electoral register. Eligibility and registration are explained on The Electoral Register page.

First general election: Thursday 3 December 2026

Polling stations are open from 07:00 to 22:00. The last day to register to vote at the election is Friday 13 November 2026. The full schedule is set out on the Election Timetable page.

Voting step by step. The steps below apply to every elector. Postal and proxy voters follow the same steps, except that their ballot papers are issued and returned as described in the table that follows.

Step 1: Check that you are on the electoral register
Only electors whose names appear on the register may vote. The provisional register is open for inspection from 7 September 2026. If you are entitled to vote but are not registered, or your entry is wrong, register or correct it by writing to the Commission before 23:59 on Friday 13 November 2026.
Step 2: Decide how you will vote
Most electors vote in person at the polling station named on their poll card. Electors who will be away from their constituency on polling day, or who cannot attend a polling station, may apply to vote by post before 18 November or by proxy before 25 November.
Step 3: Receive your poll card
Poll cards are sent by email to every registered elector from Monday 16 November 2026. The card states your constituency, your elector number and the polling station at which you are to vote. You do not need the card to vote, but it speeds your admission.
Step 4: Bring your identity credential on polling day
Polling stations are open from 07:00 to 22:00 on Thursday 3 December 2026. Present your Network identity credential or your citizen or staff identification at the desk. The presiding officer marks the register and issues your two ballot papers.
Step 5: Mark both ballot papers in the booth
The constituency ballot paper lists the candidates standing in your constituency; mark one cross against one candidate. The Network ballot paper lists the Network lists; mark one cross against one list. Do not write anything else on either paper.
Step 6: Fold the papers and place them in the ballot box
Fold each paper so that your marks are hidden and place both in the ballot box in front of the presiding officer. Postal voters return both papers in the sealed envelopes provided so that they reach the returning officer before the close of poll.

Ways to vote. Applications to vote by post or by proxy are made by writing to the Commission with your name, elector number and the reason for the application. The Commission confirms every application by email.

Ways to vote at the first general election
Method	Who may use it	Apply by	How it works
In person	Every registered elector	No application needed	Attend the polling station named on your poll card between 07:00 and 22:00 on polling day.
By post	Electors who will be away from their constituency, or who cannot attend a polling station, on polling day	23:59, Wednesday 18 November 2026	Ballot papers are sent from 20 November. Return them in the envelopes provided so that they arrive before 22:00 on polling day.
By proxy	Electors unable to vote in person or by post who appoint another registered elector to vote for them	23:59, Wednesday 25 November 2026	The proxy attends your polling station with their own identity credential and votes on your behalf.
Emergency proxy	Electors who fall ill, or are called away on Network duties, after the proxy deadline	17:00 on polling day	Apply to the returning officer of your constituency with a statement of the circumstances.

At the polling station. Each polling station is staffed by a presiding officer and polling clerks appointed by the returning officer. Candidates and lists may appoint polling agents to observe, but no campaigning is permitted within the polling station or its approaches. An elector who cannot mark the ballot paper unaided may ask the presiding officer to mark it as they direct, or may bring a companion to do so; large-print copies of both ballot papers are displayed in every polling station.

Polling day, Thursday 3 December 2026
Time	What happens
07:00	Polling stations open.
17:00	Deadline for emergency proxy applications.
22:00	Polling stations close. Electors in a queue at 22:00 are issued ballot papers and may vote.
22:00 onwards	Ballot boxes are sealed and taken to the count. Postal ballot packs received before 22:00 are opened and verified.

Spoilt and rejected papers. If you mark a ballot paper in error, return it to the presiding officer before placing it in the ballot box; a replacement is issued and the spoilt paper is cancelled. A paper is rejected at the count if it carries no mark, more than one cross, or any writing by which the voter could be identified. The number of papers rejected, and the reasons, are published with the result of every constituency.

Questions about voting may be sent to contact@elections.gov.vin. See also Constituencies, Results and the frequently asked questions.