Weekday elections will restrict voting

UP to 90,000 students could lose out on the chance to vote in the next general election unless it is held on a Saturday, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) claimed yesterday.

More than one-third of students, it emerged, attend colleges at least 50 miles from their homes.

And the possibility of voting in their home constituency will be slim for most of them, according to union president Colm Hamrogue.

“Already this month, we have seen signs that marginalised electors will be hit by a variety of obstacles to voting in the next election,” he said. “If the government is serious about maximising voter turnout, in particular among young people, it must commit to holding the next general election on a saturday,” he said.

“Half of all full-time students divide their year between two voting constituencies, at their college address and their permanent address.

“At the moment, students can only guess which of their constituencies they should register to vote in since nobody knows the exact date when the election will fall,” Mr Hamrogue said.

Based on Higher Education Authority figures, elections held between Monday and Friday would disenfranchise 90,000 students.

Bernadette Farrell said it was also vital to keep polls open until late evening.