asked the Minister for Local Government if, in order to minimise any confusion likely to arise from the decision of the Government to hold the referendum and presidential election on the same day, he will ensure that in each polling booth separate and clearly marked ballot boxes will be available, and that different coloured ballot papers will be issued for the referendum and election, respectively.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Referendum and Presidential Election Arrangements.
20.
I would refer the Deputy to subsection (2) of section 4 of the Referendum (Amendment) Act, 1959, which provides that where the polling day at a constitutional referendum is also the polling day at a presidential election the ballot papers at the referendum shall be of a different colour from those at the presidential election. The Section also provides that the local returning officer may, if he thinks proper, provide separate ballot boxes for the ballot papers for the referendum and for the ballot papers for the presidential election.
Can the Minister say what is the position if the ballot papers are put into the wrong box where two boxes are provided?
It will not matter.