The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, has set up a dedicated Electoral Task Force at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparation for the constitutional referendum scheduled for 22–23 March. The Task Force oversees the logistical planning and provides support to the diplomatic and consular network in the management of voting operations. It will also coordinate the organisation of over 80 flights for the return to Italy of the voting papers. A dedicated helpline (06 3691 5800), operating 24/7, has been activated to provide assistance and information to Italian citizens abroad.
The electoral operations involve more than 5 million overseas voters and over 200 diplomatic and consular posts, including embassies and consulates, representing a major organisational effort carried out in an international context made more complex by the crises in the Middle East and Gulf countries.
Procedures are proceeding on schedule in all countries. Where difficulties have arisen due to the suspension of postal services, alternative solutions have been promptly implemented, including the possibility for Italian nationals to collect their electoral packages directly from embassies and consulates. Moreover, voters registered in Iran and Bahrain who are currently in Italy may cast their votes at their Italian municipality of AIRE registration, even if they did not submit their option within the prescribed deadlines.
During the upcoming weekend, embassies and consulates will also provide extraordinary opening hours to allow Italian nationals who have not received their electoral package to request and obtain a duplicate promptly.
To support this organisational effort, the Government has decided to increase resources for the management of electoral operations abroad, raising the budget from approximately EUR 25 million to EUR 35 million, in support of the work of the diplomatic and consular network.
