London: Voting is underway in Britain in a historic referendum on whether the country will stay with or leave the 28-nation European Union.
The vote on the referendum is too close to call and has divided the country into the 'In' and 'Leave' camps.
The voting is taking place after months of fierce campaigning for the "once-in-a-lifetime" decision. It is being nervously watched by financial markets and politicians across the world.
Why Was The Vote Called?
In 2013, Britain Prime Minister David Cameron promised to hold a referendum on UK's membership in the 28-nation bloc by the end of his term in 2017 if he won the elections. Those campaigning to leave say the EU has evolved into an undemocratic and oppressive entity far removed from its original purpose as a trading bloc that Britain originally joined in 1973.
They claim that only a British exit — more famously termed Brexit — can restore sovereignty and effectively limit immigration. Those campaigning to remain argue that the EU ensures peace and prosperity for more than 500 million people from Portugal to Finland and the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Who Can Vote?
British and Irish citizens 18 and over who reside in the United Kingdom, as well as UK residents of Commonwealth countries who have the right to live in the country, can vote in the referendum. UK nationals who live outside the country but were registered to vote in parliamentary elections in the past 15 years, and Irish citizens overseas who were born or registered to vote in Northern Ireland in the same period, can also vote. In addition, some citizens of Gibraltar — a British enclave on the south coast of Spain — and members of the House of Lords, who cannot normally vote in general elections, have been given permission to participate in the referendum. The Electoral Commission says a record number of 46,499,537 voters were registered for the referendum by Tuesday.
What's On The Ballot Paper?
Voters are asked to answer one question: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?" The options are: "Remain a member of the European Union" and "Leave the European Union."
When And How Will The Result Be Announced?
Regional counting offices will send their results to Manchester, where the chair of the UK Electoral Commission is expected to announce the official outcome at about 7 am (11:30 AM IST) on Friday. However, the result may well be known as early as 4 am (8:30 am ISt) on Thursday as media tally the local results.
Would There Be A Recount If The Vote Is Close?
The rules don't allow for a national recount, but courts can order recounts at the local level. The overall outcome can be challenged by judicial review filed within six weeks.
Is The Referendum Binding?
No. Parliament isn't legally required to abide by the vote, but there would be strong political pressure to do so, especially if the result of the referendum is clear-cut.
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