Independents hit by new nomination rules

I TOOK my local elections nomination papers to the returning officer in Clonakilty only to have my nomination declared invalid. The reason: ‘assenters not presented.’

It is now a prerequisite that an independent candidate must bring 15 people on the local register, together with photographic identification in each case, to the local returning officer and each in turn must prove his or her identification.

This rule does not apply to members of political parties standing on the party ticket.

This new bureaucratic requirement militates against independents and is in effect a pre-election condition. It does not allow people to nominate themselves as heretofore or have their democratic right to run and have their say in the election process.

It’s not too long ago that people made great sacrifices so that everyone could enjoy the full fruits of democracy and freedom of expression in this state.

I intend to mount a legal challenge against this inane imposition.

Any interested individual or group is welcome to join me.

Sean Ahern,

Clonakilty Business Centre,

Clonakilty,

Co Cork.

Phone: [phone].

Email: [e-mail]