Citizens who are part of the polling stations will charge a 70-euro diet

The Government adjusts the amount so that the payment in cash, still majority, is easier

MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Ministry of the Interior has agreed to "round up the amount" and raise the per diem for citizens, chosen by public draw, from 65 to 70 euros, who from now on form the polling stations, with the aim of "facilitating" the management and implementation of the payment, since those that are made in cash are still "majority".

The polling stations are made up of three citizens --a president and two members-- who are chosen by lottery among all registered people under 65 years of age and who know how to read and write, excluding those who are candidates in the elections that are held. And two substitutes are chosen for each member of the table.

As published this Monday by the Official State Gazette (BOE), from the Ministry directed by Fernando Grande-Marlaska they justify that "it was advisable" to adjust the amount and this is stated in a new order that replaces the last one, promulgated in the year 2019.

"Until that date, the per diems of the members of polling stations were updated to the same extent as the remuneration of public employees, although this system made it considerably difficult to manage payments, fundamentally in the cases, still majority, in which they are carried out in cash. Therefore, it was advisable to round the amount of the allowance to facilitate these payments," argues Interior.

And he explains that this new measure is based on the need to "adapt to the current economic situation the compensation to be received by citizens to participate as table members."

Persons designated for the positions of president and board members may receive the diet of 70 euros. Only those who have the status of holders will have this right, and not the substitutes, who "only" will be able to collect it if they have to replace a holder.

In addition, the right to a diet for the members of the polling stations "will be in its full amount, regardless of the time of election day that the position has been held," he specifies.

The BOE indicates that this order will apply to electoral processes regulated in Organic Law 5/1985, of June 19, and to popular consultations by way of referendum regulated in Organic Law 2/1980, of January 18, which celebrate from here on out.