Identity crux for new voters

THOUSANDS of non-nationals won’t be able to vote in the local elections due to a registration problem, immigration support groups claimed yesterday.

And the departments of justice and the environment were accused of foot-dragging when asked to clarify the issue. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice was unavailable to comment on the claims.

Five non-Irish candidates are contesting the elections as independents, with two Nigerians standing in Galway. Several thousand non- EU immigrants are entitled to vote.

On February 6 immigration support group Integrating Ireland wrote to the Department of Justice seeking clarification of the registration process. Yesterday, spokesman Dr Jean-Pierre Eyanga said his group was still awaiting clarification.

Nigerian-born Benedicta Attoh, a candidate in Co Louth, told a press conference in Dublin local gardaí will only accept an international passport or driver’s licence as voter registration.

“The green card issued to immigrants by the Garda National Immigration Bureau is not acceptable because the issuing body wrote it is not an ID on the card,” she added.

Liaison officer with the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) Pat Guerin said the strength of democracy was the extent to which all who were entitled to vote were encouraged to do so. “In this regard, the Irish Government has, to date, singularly failed to encourage immigrants to vote,” he said.

Nigerian-born Dr Taiwo Matthew, who has lived with his family in Ennis, Co Clare for more than five years, is seeking a seat on the local town council.

“Ennis has been quite welcoming to me. And I see myself as part and parcel of that community,” he said.

Dr Eyanga appealed to the Government to find a quick solution to the registration issue and ensure the green card would be accepted on polling day.