The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ordered that a convicted murderer could be banned from voting because the ban is proportionate to the offense. Thiery Delvigne challenged the ban before the ECJ on the ground that it violates EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. According to a press release from the court, the deprivation of the right to vote to which Mr Delvigne is subject represents a limitation of the exercise of the right of EU citizens to vote in the elections to the Parliament, as guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Court notes that limitations may, however, be imposed on the exercise of fundamental rights, and provided, inter alia, that they are also proportionate. Also, in addition, the Government will inevitably leave itself open to legal action from prisoners facing the prospect of being unable to vote in the European elections in 2019 if it does not take action now.