Vol. 482 No. 3
257 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce changes in the regulations to allow those presiding at polling stations to cast their vote, even if stationed outside their own constituency, in all elections or at least in Presidential elections or referenda where the same ballot paper is being presented in every constituency. [17928/97]
Under the Presidential Elections Act, 1993, polling staff whose duties at a presidential election prevent them voting at their local polling station may be authorised to vote at another station, whether or not that station is situated in the elector's own constituency. A similar provision in relation to referenda is contained in the Referendum Act, 1994. In the case of a European election, an elector in the situation referred to may be authorised to vote at any polling station in the European Parliament constituency concerned.
At a Dáil or local election, a separate election takes place in each constituency or electoral area and it would not be appropriate to authorise an elector to vote in a constituency or electoral area, other than the one for which he/she is registered.
