Local elections allow a wider range of people from different nationalities to exercise their right to vote. The registration of non-Portuguese people is essential. A number of organisations are involved here, such as parishes and city councils, but also other organisations that can act as catalysts for the process. The CNAIM, associations and other organisations can play a fundamental role in clarifying and stimulating this process, which must be done in good time.

Who can vote in local elections? Which nationalities and what are the requirements? How and when do you register? These and other questions will be answered in this very practical session.

The session is aimed primarily at local authorities, such as parish councils and city councils, but is also of interest to all organisations that contact and work with migrants in Portugal. Registration is free but compulsory. Places are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Speaker

Carla Luís is the coordinator of  VOTEdhr - Eleições, Democracia e Direitos Humanos and a researcher at CES - Centre for Social Studies. She works in the area of Elections and Democracy, with international and national institutions such as the Council of Europe, the European Union, IDEA, ODIHR/OSCE, the Carter Centre, UNDP, among others. Member of the Electoral Integrity Project, on the international advisory board. Member of the National Electoral Commission from 2009 to 2022. Co-author of several annotated electoral laws, among others. Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Lusíada University of Lisbon. She teaches in the areas of Electoral Observation and Electoral Justice, among others. BRIDGE certified trainer. Master's in Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) and Law degree from FDUNL. PhD from the University of Coimbra, with a thesis on the UN and the impact of electoral systems.

Target audience
Anyone who deals with elections in their various guises at local and parish level: officials, local elected representatives, members of parties or candidates, groups of voting citizens, as well as table members and delegates, journalists from the local press, among others. The course is also relevant for students, researchers and those interested in the field of democracy in general.

Registration: free but compulsory. Limited places, to be filled on a first come, first served basis.