It votes on a range of issues such as amendments, paragraphs, reports and resolutions.
Most of these votes are taken by a show of hands but an electronic check can be carried out if the result is not clear. In a small proportion of votes, MEPs vote by “roll call” or “recorded vote” which is similar to an electronic check but which records how the MEPs voted.
Analyzing the results of these votes gives an insight into attendance levels and the proactivity of different delegations in the European Parliament.
Between July 2014 and April 2019, Malta had the highest rate of participation in roll call votes at 94.73 percent while another Mediterranean island, Cyprus, came last with 79.7 percent.
During the same period, the United Kingdom which is negotiating a messy divorce with the EU, came third-last with 81.94 percent.
The figures were compiled by website VoteWatch Europe.