asked the Minister for Local Government if the ballot paper used in the recent general election carried an identification number on its back; if the counterfoil from which it was removed had a corresponding number; and if the number of the voter to whom the ballot paper was given was written on this counterfoil; if he is satisfied that this procedure does not throw doubt on the secrecy of the ballot; and what happens to the ballot papers and the counterfoils after the election.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secrecy of Ballot.
37.
The elector's number is entered by the presiding officer on the counterfoil which bears the same serial number as that on the back of the ballot paper. This does not, however, endanger the secrecy of the ballot because there is an elaborate statutory procedure which provides that the counterfoil and ballot paper are not subsequently brought together. The ballot papers and counterfoils are retained in separate sealed packets under strict security by the Clerk of the Dáil for 12 months and are then destroyed. They cannot be inspected except by order of the Dáil of High Court and then only subject to certain safeguards regarding the secrecy of the ballot.
The Joint Committee on the Electoral Law considered this matter and concluded as follows in paragraph 65 of their final report dated 12th July, 1961:—
On balance, the Committee feels that the deterrent effect of the present practice is a valuable safeguard against widespread personation and other corrupt practices at elections and that it should not be sacrificed to allay a suspicion which is, in fact, groundless. The Committee accordingly recommends no change in this regard.
Whether or not fears are groundless, is the Minister aware that in certain areas the electorate are of the opinion that, where they have been supporting one political party over a period and change their allegiance, their change of loyalty may afterwards be noted? This, in effect, is a fact in electoral practice and, if only for this reason, putting a number on the back of the counterfoil should be discontinued.
Not so.