COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, November 12, 2007
QUESTION NO. 5
QUESTION: Councillor C. King
To ask the Manager, what efforts have been or are being made to ensure the thousands of people who lost their franchise in the general election 2007 as a result of the review of the electoral register are returned back on the register and how does the Manager explain the disproportionate large numbers deleted from the register in the RAPID areas of the County where arguably there is a greater need for proper representation?
REPLY:
2007/2008 Register of Electors
The 2007 /2008 Register of Electors was compiled following an intensive national fieldwork campaign carried out in accordance with Circular Letter F08-06 (Revised procedure to improve the accuracy of 2007/2008 register), issued in 2006 by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG).
This enhanced data capture programme, to ensure an accurate and comprehensive register, included the appointment of a number of additional Field Workers.
At the time of the intensive update of the 2007/2008 Register the DoEHLG undertook an extensive publicity and awareness campaign. SDCC complemented this campaign at local level by local press advertising and awareness initiatives. These initiatives included setting up and managing awareness sessions at shopping centres and was also supported by local voluntary efforts of Tallaght Partnership, Dublin 12 Women’s Action Group, and An Cosán. As a result of fieldwork campaign in total 21,831 electors were added to the Register and 40,903 were deleted. A breakdown of these figures by constituency, local electoral area and polling district is available on members.net at this link Register of Electors 2007-2008\Electoral Tables. These tables include the details for the RAPID areas of Jobstown / Killinarden, Cushlawn, Fettercairn and Brookfield
2008/2009 Register of Electors
As in previous years the new Draft Register (2008/2009) was published on 1st November. It was prepared in accordance with Circular Letter-F 06-06 ( Preparing and maintaining the register)
At this point in time it has been circulated to all Post Offices, Libraries, Garda Stations, where it is available for public viewing. It is also available to view on line at www.sdcc.ie and www.checktheregister.ie. Local T.D.’s, Senators and local public representatives have been circulated with a copy of the Draft and are asked to encourage potential electors to check the draft register during the prescribed period: 1st November 2007 to 25th November 2007. Posters and newspaper notices have once again been circulated in the area to compliment the usual central government roadshow.
The Franchise Section of SDCC will continue its efforts to ensure that electors are afforded the opportunity to
a) check whether or not they are on the draft Register
b) amend their information which is incorrect
c) add their franchise details.
The total number of electors on the 2008/2009 Draft Register is 174,071 (up by 2,100 electors from this time last year). A breakdown of these figures by constituency, local electoral area and polling district is available on members.net at Draft Register of Electors 2008-2009\Electoral Tables.
The final register will be produced on 1st February 2008, effective from 15 th February 2008. This register will be used for franchise purposes during the period 15th February 2008 to 14th February 2009.
The objective in compiling the Register of Electors is to ensure that all eligible voters are given an opportunity to participate in the democratic process anda high quality Register of Electors is essential to the successful operations of the electoral system. This authority will continue its work to achieve the highest possible degree of accuracy and comprehensiveness.
However, it must be reiterated that all electors are responsible for ensuring that they are registered and should now check their registration details on the Draft Register. Electors are asked to take heed of local and national awareness campaigns and to advise our Franchise Section in writing on the appropriate form (RFA 1) corrections, amendments, additions within the prescribed period 1st November 2007 to 25th November 2007.