2019 Greek legislative election

A visual representation of the seat allocation system used in Greece

Ballots and election booths for the 2019 legislative elections in Greece

Compulsory voting was in force for the elections, with voter registration being automatic.[4] However, none of the legally existing penalties or sanctions have ever been enforced.[5]

A number of changes to the electoral system were introduced following the September 2015 elections. The voting age was reduced from 18 to 17 in July 2016,[6] with the same law also abolishing the majority bonus system, which gave a 50-seat bonus to the largest party. Instead, all 300 seats would be awarded proportionally.[6] However, this law did not come into effect for the 2019 elections, as it was not approved with the required supermajority despite the Syriza-led government expressing support for its introduction for the 2019 elections.[7] As a result, the previous system remained in force, with 250 seats elected in multi-member constituencies using a 3% electoral threshold, plus 50 bonus seats for the largest party.

The number of parliamentary constituencies was also modified in December 2018, with Athens B split into Athens B1 (North), Athens B2 (West), and Athens B3 (South), while Attica was split into East Attica and West Attica.[8]

A few minutes before the polls closed, a group of young protesters stormed the 33-d polling station in the distinct of Exarcheia in Athens and stole the ballot box. Subsequently, a previously unknown anarchist group called 'Ballot-seeking Arsonists' claimed responsibility. The group claimed that they burned the stolen ballot box. As a result, a repeat election at the same polling station was held a week later, on Sunday, 14 July.[9][10] The results did not change the final allocation of seats due to the small volume of votes.