There are fears that thousands of voters could be left without voting entitlements if the General Election is called before 15th February 2020.
With an election date due to be announced in the coming days, Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher said that new or newly transferred voters could be losing out.
Deputy Gallagher said: “As voting registers come into effect on the 15th of February each year, should the General Election be held on the 7th or 14th of February then the 2019 register is still in effect, which means that in Donegal alone thousands will be left without their entitlement to vote, unless they register on the supplementary register within 3 to 4 days of calling of the Election.
“It is wrong of the Government not to make the public aware of the intended date of the election, for these voters who are not on the register for 2019, they would have an opportunity to re-register in the days ahead.”
Deputy Gallagher expressed his worries that many voters who would have registered for the 2020 register would remain under the false impression that they are entitled to a vote should the election take place on the 7th or 14th of February.
“They are entitled to vote yes, but unfortunately, they will not be registered on the 2019 register of electors. The same will apply to anyone who would have moved into an area over the past 12 months and was not previously registered in that area,” he said.
“I urge anyone, who is turning 18 between 15th February 2019 and polling day – should that be 7th of 14th of February to register on the supplementary register, this will require obtaining a registration form and getting it signed in your local Garda Station,” stated Pat the Cope.
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