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Election Management System.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Questions (555)

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

552 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has to ensure the control of impersonation in the June 2004 elections; the contacts he has had with local authorities in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8573/04]

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Written answers

Existing controls regarding personation are set out in electoral law. The returning officer or the presiding officer may, of his own volition, or if so requested by a personation agent present in the polling station, request any person applying for a ballot paper to produce a specified identification document. If a person fails to produce such a document, or if the returning officer or the presiding officer is not satisfied that the person is the person to whom the document relates, he or she shall not be permitted to vote. Returning officers or presiding officers may also — or, if so requested by a personation agent, shall — put certain questions or administer an oath or affirmation to persons applying for a ballot paper. Electoral law also sets out a range of offences and penalties regarding personation.

The law and the administrative arrangements in place regarding this matter will continue to be monitored with a view to possible improvements, while remaining conscious of the need to maintain a proper balance between accessibility to the system and its security and integrity. As part of the preparations for the forthcoming polls, my Department will shortly provide guidance documentation to European local returning officers for issue to presiding officers which will contain detailed advice on personation.

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