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Election Management System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018

Thursday, 24 May 2018

Ceisteanna (221)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

221. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of foreign nationals have received polling cards in County Meath for the upcoming referendum on the eighth amendment (details supplied). [22959/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under electoral law, local returning officers are responsible at a referendum for sending a polling information card (PIC) to every presidential elector (i.e. Irish citizen) whose name is on the register of electors.

Electoral law also provides that the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority.  It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. Only those individuals who are recorded on the register as entitled to vote at a referendum will be allowed to vote in the forthcoming referendum  on 25 May 2018. A polling card does not entitle an individual to vote.

Section 149 of the Electoral Act 1992 (as applied to referendums by section 6 of the Referendum Act 1994) provides that a person who is not registered or who is registered but not entitled to be so registered shall not be entitled to vote. The Act also provides that it is an offence to vote when not entitled to do so.

In relation to prosecuting such an offence, this would be a matter for the Gardaí.

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