<P> General elections occur whenever Parliament is dissolved . The timing of the dissolution was normally chosen by the prime minister (see relationship with the Government above); however, as a result of the Fixed - term Parliaments Act 2011, Parliamentary terms are now fixed at five years, except in the event of the Commons passing a vote of no confidence or an "early election" motion, the latter having to be passed by two - thirds majority . </P> <P> All British elections are held on a Thursday . The Electoral Commission is unsure when this practice arose, but dates it to 1931, with the suggestion that it was made to coincide with market day; this would ease voting for those who had to travel to the towns to cast their ballot . </P> <P> A candidate for a constituency must submit nomination papers signed by ten registered voters from that constituency, and pay a deposit of £ 500, which is refunded only if the candidate wins at least five per cent of the vote . The deposit seeks to discourage frivolous candidates . Each constituency returns one member, using the first - past - the - post electoral system, under which the candidate with a plurality of votes wins . Minors (that is, anyone under the age of 18), members of the House of Lords, prisoners, and insane persons are not qualified to become members of the House of Commons . To vote, one must be a resident of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and a British citizen, or a citizen of a British overseas territory, of the Republic of Ireland, or of a member of the Commonwealth of Nations . British citizens living abroad are allowed to vote for 15 years after moving from the United Kingdom . No person may vote in more than one constituency . </P> <P> Once elected, Members of Parliament normally continue to serve until the next dissolution of Parliament . But if a member dies or ceases to be qualified (see qualifications below), his or her seat falls vacant . It is also possible for the House of Commons to expel a member, but this power is exercised only in cases of serious misconduct or criminal activity . In each case, the vacancy is filled by a by - election in the constituency, with the same electoral system as in general elections . </P>

Who elects members of the house of commons
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