VOTERS go to the polls for the second time in a month next week, this time to vote for representatives for the European Parliament.

But voters face a baffling time when they do reach the polling booth - they will have 110 candidates to choose from, incorporating 13 different political groups.

For the first time Britain is voting in an election using the proportional representation system, instead of the traditional first-past-the-post system.

This means the traditional Euro seats have been scrapped in favour of regional constituencies which will be served by a number of MEPs - in the case of the North West, it will be ten.

Each party has put together a list of 10 nominees for the election, with each party putting its nominees in order of preference. Once all the votes have been cast, the seats will be handed out to the relevant parties depending on how many votes they get.

Voters can either vote for an individual eg an independent, or party list of their choice. Specific people on the party list cannot be selected.

If a party wins more than one seat, candidates will be elected according to their placing on the list.

A European Parliament spokesman said: "People will see a different ballot paper this time. They can either vote for a party list or for an individual."

Eleven parties have put up lists and there are two independents also standing. The parties standing are: Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green , British National, Liberal Party, Natural Law, Pro Euro Conservative, Socialist Labour, UK Independence and the Weekly Worker.

Among the Conservatives standing are former South Ribble MP Sir Robert Atkins and ex-Chorley MP Den Dover.

Sitting MEP for Preston Mark Hendrick faces a battler to get back in. He is number six on the Labour list, so they will need to win a lot of votes if Mr Hendrick wants to make the return trip to Strasbourg.

Among the Liberal Democrat candidates is Tim Farron, who quit his post on South Ribble Borough Council so he could pursue a place in the European Parliament.

The two independents standing are David Briad, representing the Anti-Corruption Pro-family Christian Alliance and Independent Humanist Douglas Firkin-Flood.

Britain goes to the polls on Thursday, June 10 between 7am and 10pm. The results will be announced following the count on June 13.

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