Vol. 548 No. 2
284 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the classifications of people who now qualify for a postal vote; the procedure which they should follow to avail of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4183/02]
290 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to extend the postal vote to people who are on holiday or hospitalised on election day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4233/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 290 together.
Electoral law provides for postal voting by members of the gardaí, whole-time members of the Defence Forces, Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses, electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or disability, certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside and electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day. Full-time students registered at home, who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State, are also eligible to apply for a postal vote.
In order to vote by post, an elector's name must be entered on the postal voters list which is prepared by the registration authority as part of the register of electors. An application by an elector for inclusion in the list to be published on 1 February as part of the register of electors must have been received by the registration authority by the previous 25 November. Electors, who are eligible for but not already included in the postal voters list, may apply for entry in a supplement to the list which is published prior to each poll. The latest date for receipt of applications by registration authorities for inclusion in the supplement to the list is not later than two days following the dissolution of the Dáil at a general election or not later than two days following the date of the order appointing polling day at a Presidential, European or local election or a referendum.
An elector ordinarily resident in a hospital, nursing home or other similar institution who is unable to go in person to vote at their normal polling station by reason of a physical illness or disability may apply to be included in a special voters list. Such electors vote on a ballot paper delivered to them by a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda. There are no proposals to extend the range of postal voter categories.
