COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, October 13, 2008
QUESTION NO. 6
QUESTION: Councillor S. Crowe
To ask the Manager in view of obvious difficulties experienced compiling the electoral register in the run up to the last General Election particularly in the West Tallaght area where large tracts of voters were mysteriously initially removed, will the manager outline if any inquiry/investigation was held by this Council , if any new measures or procedures were agreed and can he give any assurances to reassure the electorate that there will be no repeat of these difficulties?
REPLY:
In direct reference to the question submitted it must be clarified that no voters were "mysteriously initially removed" from the Register of Electors in advance of the 2007 General Election. On the contrary the preparation and publication of that Register of Electors was prepared in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to assist registration authorities in working to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register(circular letter F5/06 refers). These guidelines set out general best practice for registration authorities on the rules and procedures for updating the register.
The following is an outline of the activity undertaken by South Dublin County Council in this regard
- 47 no. additional temporary fieldworkers (former census enumerators) were employed to assist the existing 24 no. Council fieldworkers – Total no. of fieldworkers 71
- 2 no. additional temporary Clerical Officers employed
- Information postcard issued to every existing elector (182,000) in advance of fieldwork.
- During August and September, every household in the County (Approx. 78,000) was called to in person by a fieldworker to gather details of eligible householders. In cases where there was no reply an information card and freepost application form was left.
- In cases where the application form was not returned a second call was made by a fieldworker, a second information card and freepost application form was left.
- 204,500 records were processed during October 2006.
- Based on information confirmed by fieldworkers a total of 21,831 new electors were added to the R egister and 24,489 electors were deleted
- Each deletion was confirmed by letter to the relevant elector
- In cases where no response was received from a household a first “intention to delete” letter was issued to each elector – Approximately 23,000
- In cases where no response was received to the first “intention to delete” letter a second letter issued to confirm each deletion – Approximately 16,500
- The Draft Register 2007/2008 was published on the statutory date of 1st November 2006 with 163,338 electors registered.
With specific referece to the Draft Register of Electors 2009/10 which will be used for the Local and European Elections 2009 which is currently being prepared:
The following procedure is being applied:
§ A personal call is made to each household to ascertain if details on the current register are up to date.
§ Deletions and additions are noted at this call.
§ In the absence of a reply at the door an RFA form (registration form) is left behind.
§ The RFA form requests that EVERY person in the household entitled to vote be included on the form. The RFA form is pre-addressed to South Dublin County Council and is FREEPOST to facilitate a safe and speedy return of same.
§ A Draft Register based on information received at the door and on RFA forms, is published on 1st November each year. The Draft is produced on Pink Paper to make it easily identifiable and is circulated to every Councillor, T.D., Post Office, Garda Station, Library and Council Office and in the County. A national media advertisement campaign, supported by local media advertising will be undertaken advising the electorate to check the Draft to ensure that they are registered to vote. This advertising campaing will specifiy the time frame within which electors can request additions/ corrections / deletions ie 1st November to 25th November.
§ Following the publication of the Draft Register further necessary changes to be effected will be recorded by means of a " Claims List"(a list of submissions made by electors during the prescribed period 1st November to 25th November)
§ The Claims List including additions, deletions and amendments will be brought before the County Registrar for confirmation.
§ Following confirmation of the Claims List the Draft Register will be updated accordingly and the Final Register will be published on the 1st February and will come into effect on the 15th February 2009.
& In advance of the Local / European election a further opportunity will be afforded to potential electors to apply for inclusion in the Supplementary Register of Electors and an advertisement campaign will also be carried out.
It must be noted that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the right to vote rests with the individual and the Local Authority is a facilitator to this process by means of data capture, publication and distribution of the Register of Electors. Every opportunity is afforded during the compilation of the draft Register, the claims period, and the preparation of the Supplementary Register to ensure that all potential voters have opportunity to check that they are on the Register and to apply for inclusion in the register.