Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Candidates present at polling stations

  • 26-05-2014 11:14am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4


    Does anyone know if a candidate can greet people entering the door of a polling station for many hours during polling day.


Comments

  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,886 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    My understanding was so long as they are not actively canvassing, it is OK. Happened all the time in my local polling station, some candidates would help supporters to the door if they were elderly/infirm etc.

    Personally I think it is inappropriate but the one time it was complained about in my local area, the candidate pointed out that he had been driving up and down elderly neighbours all day and had not asked or talked about which way to vote.

    If you can prove they are canvassing or attempting to influence voters then you can have you local Garda remove them (from memory, although what they would charge them with I do not know).

    My local station used to have several hard core FFs in the ballot room (they were the people who you crossed your name off), one even shouted across the room at me when I was younger that I know which way I should vote.

    TL:DR, so long as they are not canvassing, it is OK I think but IMO, their very presence is a form of canvassing and they should only be allowed to hang around long enough to vote.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    You cannot canvass within 50 metres

    so, yes, it depends on what you interpet as canvassing


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 grenn


    Yes, that is a fine line (canvassing or not). I was a poll clerk at this election and after a complaint from a voter I reported it to the supervisor who moved her on but told me that was the second time he had to do that. And sure enough 5 mins later she was back again smiling and greeting people as they entered the school. She was voted in!


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,886 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    grenn wrote: »
    Yes, that is a fine line (canvassing or not). I was a poll clerk at this election and after a complaint from a voter I reported it to the supervisor who moved her on but told me that was the second time he had to do that. And sure enough 5 mins later she was back again smiling and greeting people as they entered the school. She was voted in!
    He should have contacted the Gardai if he was satisfied she was canvassing.


Advertisement