Dublin Central and Dublin South Bye-Elections - Closing Dates for Supplements to Register and Postal/Special

Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has today (13th May 2009) made an order appointing Friday, 5th June 2009 as the polling day for the Dublin Central and Dublin South bye-elections. Polling will be between the hours of 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m.

To stand for election to Dáil Éireann, a person must be a citizen of Ireland and at least 21 years of age by polling day. A person may nominate him/herself as a candidate or, with his/her consent, may be nominated by a person who is registered as an elector in the constituency concerned. A candidate not in possession of a certificate of political affiliation (confirmation that a person is a candidate of a political party registered in the register of political parties) must have their nomination completed using either of the following options:

(i) by way of assents requiring the completion of statutory declarations by 30 assentors registered in the relevant Dáil constituency, or (ii) by way of the candidate, or someone on his or her behalf, lodging a deposit of 500 with the returning officer.

The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on Thursday, 21st May 2009. Candidates may withdraw their nominations up to 12 noon on Friday, 22nd May 2009.

Every person who is an Irish or British citizen and is included in the register of electors in the relevant constituencies is entitled to vote at the bye-elections and at the european and local elections being held on the same day.  In addition, other EU citizens who are on the register of electors may vote at the European and local elections, while non EU-citizens may vote at the local elections only. 

People who are eligible to vote but are not registered still have time to apply for entry in the supplement to the register to be published before polling day.  To be eligible for inclusion in the supplement a person must be 18 years of age or over and must be ordinarily resident in the State. 

Supplement application forms for all categories of voters are available from County and City Councils, Garda Stations, Libraries, Post Offices and on-line at www.checktheregister.ie. Completed forms must be received by the relevant County or City Council not later than Monday, 18th May 2009.

Applications must be signed in the presence of and witnessed by a member of the Garda Síochana or, if the person cannot attend their local Garda Station, by an official of their County or City Council provided they state the reason why they were unable to attend a Garda station.

If, because of a physical illness or physical disability, a person cannot attend either their local Garda Station or their County or City Council, their application form must be accompanied by a medical certificate.

If a person is eligible to vote by post, or is unable to vote in person due to a physical illness or physical disability and is resident in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, and they are not on the Postal Voters List or Special Voters List, they can apply for inclusion in the supplement to these lists. Application forms are available from County and City Councils who will advise people of the appropriate arrangements for the completion of the relevant form.  Completed forms must be received by the relevant County or City Council not later than Friday, 15th May 2009.

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