On 20 September 1976 in Brussels, representatives of the Member States of the European Communities adopt the Act concerning the election of the representatives to the Assembly by direct universal suffrage. The Act stipulates that the term of office for Members of the European Parliament is five years (Article 3).

Council directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.

Consolidated version of the Act of 20 September 1976, as last amended by Article 5 of the Treaty of Amsterdam.

The electoral systems in the Member States of the European Union applicable to European elections of June 1999.

Council Decision of 25 June and 23 September 2002 amending the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, signed in Brussels on 20 September 1976.

Consolidated version of the Act of 20 September 1976, as last amended by Council Decision 2002/772/EC, Euratom of 25 June and 23 September 2002.

The electoral systems in the Member States of the European Union applicable to European elections of June 2004.

Proposal to amend Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 as regards certain detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals, submitted by the Commission on 12 December 2006.

European Parliament resolution of 26 September 2007 on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 as regards certain detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.

The electoral systems in the European Union Member States applicable to the European elections of June 2009.

Report dated 28 April 2011, drawn up by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, on the proposal for a modification of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage.

Report dated 1 February 2012, drawn up by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, on the proposal for a modification of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage.

Report dated 24 October 2012, drafted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, on the draft Council directive amending Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 as regards certain detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.

On 20 December 2012, the Council of the European Union adopts a Commission proposal to simplify the procedure for EU citizens living in another Member State to stand as candidates in the forthcoming European Parliament elections. This measure is one of the initiatives taken by the Commission to encourage and facilitate participation in the European Parliament elections.

Council Directive 2013/1/EU of 20 December 2012 amending Directive 93/109/EC as regards certain detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.