The Direct Elections Act of 20 September 1976 contains binding regulations for all member states concerning the preparation and conduct of the Election to the European Parliament, inter alia provisions concerning the electoral term, the legal status of the members of the European Parliament and the election date.
The Federal Republic of Germany has consented to the Direct Elections Act by adopting the "Gesetz zu dem Beschluss und Akt des Rates der Europäischen Gemeinschaften vom 20. September 1976 zur Einführung allgemeiner unmittelbarer Wahlen der Abgeordneten der Versammlung" (Law on the Decision and Act of the Council of the European Communities of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage) on 4 August 1977.
Direct Elections Act (PDF, 61 KB)
©2012 The Federal Returning Officer