This year, elections will be held to renew the Com.It.Es. (Committees of Italians Abroad). Italian citizens residing abroad who submit an application will be eligible to vote.
What are the elections for?
The elections are for the renewal of the Committees of Italians Abroad (Com.It.Es.).
Established in 1985, the Com.It.Es. are representative bodies of the Italian communities abroad, elected directly by Italian citizens who have been residing for at least six months within the relevant Consular District.
What do the Com.It.Es. do?
They represent Italian citizens abroad in their relations with Italian Embassies and Consulates and promote their integration into the local community.
They also work to preserve the historical memory of Italian emigration and to promote the contribution of Italians to the societies in which they live.
When are they established and who are they composed of?
Com.It.Es. may be established in Consular Districts with more than 3,000 Italian citizens registered with AIRE (the Registry of Italians Resident Abroad).
They are composed of:
- 12 members in communities with up to 100,000 Italian citizens;
- 18 members in communities with more than 100,000 Italian citizens.
Committee members serve a five-year term.
Who can vote in the Com.It.Es. elections?
Italian citizens who have resided for at least six months within the relevant Consular District and who have submitted an application to their Consulate requesting inclusion in the electoral register.
How do you vote?
Voting in the Com.It.Es. elections is conducted by postal ballot.
Ballot papers will be mailed to the residential address of eligible voters who have submitted the required application.
Once completed, the ballot must be returned to the Consulate by mail, following carefully the instructions provided in the information sheet included in the election package.
For more information
For more information about the Com.It.Es. elections, please visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina) website at:
https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/eventi/2026/07/elezionidei-comites-2026/
