Prisoner Challenges Holyrood Voting Rights

It has been reported today that convicted murderer, George McGeoch, has raised court proceedings in a bid to win his right to vote in the Holyrood election on 5 May. He is seeking to challenge the UK government's policy, which does not allow votes for convicted prisoners, as incompatible with EU law. As we have highlighted in our previous articles in relation to this issue, the European Court in Strasburg has consistently ruled against the UK government's position on this issue. Mr McGeoch is serving a life sentence in Dumfries prison for the murder of Eric Innes in Inverness in 1998. Initially sentenced to serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 13 years, subsequent convictions have led to an increase in the overall term he must serve, and he will not be eligible for consideration for parole until 2015. Mr McGeogh is challenging the electoral registration officer for Dumfries and Galloway's decision not to include him on the electoral roll, on the basis that not being allowed to vote is inconsistent with EU law. He is also seeking £2,500 in compensation from the Local Authority on the...

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