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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Electoral Offences.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

96 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the specific steps he intends to take to prevent a widespread campaign of impersonation at the next general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26660/01]

Existing statutory provisions in relation to impersonation are contained in the Electoral Act, 1992. Under these provisions a presiding officer may, of his or her own volition, or if so required by a personation agent, request any person applying for a ballot paper to satisfy him or her as to their identity by producing any one of a number of specified documents.

Where a person fails to produce such a document or the presiding officer is not satisfied that the person is the person to whom the document relates, a ballot paper is not issued. Presiding officers have powers to direct a member of the Garda Síochána to arrest a person where they have reasonable cause to believe that personation is or has been committed and electoral law also provides for the offence of personation and appropriate penalties.

My Department is keeping the operation of these arrangements under review in the context of its ongoing responsibility for the administration and improvement of electoral legislation.

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