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Bibles at Polling Stations

  • 22-05-2015 6:50am
    #1
    Vojera
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,812 ✭✭✭


    My mam just want to vote. She's voting yes, even though she's got quite a strong faith. She said there was a bible sitting on the table where she went to collect her voting sheets. She felt fairly intimidated by that and she's worried that anyone who's a shaky yes will be influenced by it.

    My question is, is this Bible allowed to be there and if not, what can be done about it?


Comments

  • #2
    JoannieG
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 239 ✭✭JoannieG


    If there's an issue about your identity or whether you have already voted, you may be asked to swear an oath. That's what the bible is for. There should be one at every polling station for every election/referendum. If you're non-Christian you can make an affirmation without the bible, but the majority of people prefer to swear on a bible.


  • #3
    Solberg2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭Solberg2005


    Usually there does be a media freeze in the day before and including the day of Polling day. Does this also include any forms of canvassing as I see people handing out flyers this morning at train stations?


  • #4
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71,186 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    No, it is solely broadcast media.


  • #5
    Vojera
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,812 ✭✭✭Vojera


    JoannieG wrote: »
    If there's an issue about your identity or whether you have already voted, you may be asked to swear an oath. That's what the bible is for. There should be one at every polling station for every election/referendum. If you're non-Christian you can make an affirmation without the bible, but the majority of people prefer to swear on a bible.
    Okay, thanks for the clarification. That's good to know.


  • #6
    machiavellianme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,895 ✭✭✭✭machiavellianme


    Vojera wrote: »
    My mam just want to vote. She's voting yes, even though she's got quite a strong faith. She said there was a bible sitting on the table where she went to collect her voting sheets. She felt fairly intimidated by that and she's worried that anyone who's a shaky yes will be influenced by it.

    My question is, is this Bible allowed to be there and if not, what can be done about it?

    It's probably the grounds for the next pointless referendum.


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  • #7
    Guy:Incognito
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,247 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    machiavellianme wrote: »
    It's probably the grounds for the next pointless referendum.

    Opinion on the need for a referendum aside, the subject of it is far from pointless.


  • #8
    GCU Flexible Demeanour
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,257 ✭✭✭GCU Flexible Demeanour


    machiavellianme wrote: »
    It's probably the grounds for the next pointless referendum.
    Similar thread here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95580947&postcount=20

    And, absolutely, the Constitution starts:

    In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred,

    We, the people of Éire,

    Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, Who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial,

    Gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain the rightful independence of our Nation,

    And seeking to promote the common good, with due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured, true social order attained, the unity of our country restored, and concord established with other nations,

    Do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution.


  • #9
    sok2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,073 ✭✭✭sok2005


    I've been voting at my polling station for years and years and this is the first time they had the bible pride of place right next to the voting sheets. It's never been there before.


  • #10
    jhegarty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,441 ✭✭✭jhegarty


    sok2005 wrote: »
    I've been voting at my polling station for years and years and this is the first time they had the bible pride of place right next to the voting sheets. It's never been there before.

    It's always been there , you just haven't noticed.


  • #11
    sok2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,073 ✭✭✭sok2005


    jhegarty wrote: »
    It's always been there , you just haven't noticed.

    Let me tell you, it' something I would have noticed before. It was never in view at my polling station previous to this.


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  • #12
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,316 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    Solberg2005 wrote: »
    Usually there does be a media freeze in the day before and including the day of Polling day. Does this also include any forms of canvassing as I see people handing out flyers this morning at train stations?

    They are not allowed be within a certain distance of the polling stations.


  • #13
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    sok2005 wrote: »
    Let me tell you, it' something I would have noticed before. It was never in view at my polling station previous to this.
    I'd say it depends on who's in charge. There certainly wasn't one there this morning at my polling station, it was probably available if needed.

    I imagine if the person running the polling station is a bit of a holy joe, or a stickler for tradition, they probably like to put one on every table.


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