Vol. 554 No. 5
1599 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of days allowed after the date of an election or referendum is called for voters to submit a request for a postal vote, or for addition to the register; the forms of notice given to voters of this closing date; and if arrangements can be made to extend the number of days before the deadline and improve the forms of public notification for future polling occasions. [17395/02]
Applications for entry to the supplement to the register must be received by the registration authorities not later than 15 days before polling day excluding a Sunday, Good Friday or a public holiday. An application for entry on the supplement to the postal voters' list must be made not later than two days after the dissolution of the Dáil or the date of the order appointing polling day in the case of a Dáil by-election or a Presidential, European or local election or referendum.
Information in relation to the various supplements is available from my Department or a registration authority. In addition, my Department places advertisements in the national press in the run up to a poll urging people to check the register and avail of the supplement facility. National advertising is supplemented by local advertising by registration authorities. The Referendum Commission also advertises the supplement facility.
Arrangements for the operation of the supplements are kept under review and the deadline for the supplement to the postal voters list was extended by two days under the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2001.
Question No. 1600 answered with Question No. 1440.
