Special voters need to register today

UP TO 20,000 people hoping to vote by post or to make arrangements for voting because of a disability must register with their local authority by 5pm today.

Anybody who wishes to get on to the electoral register or notify a change of address to vote in this month’s general election must do so by this Saturday.

Almost 23,000 people were eligible for postal or special voting at the 2002 general election, according to the Department of the Environment. A spokesperson said that 17,116 votes were cast by people in these two categories.

Although a breakdown was not available, it is understood that most availing of these voting options were people using a postal vote.

This is open to members of the Defence Forces and gardaí, diplomats posted abroad and their spouses, prisoners, anybody living at home but prevented by illness or disability from voting and people whose job is likely to prevent them from getting to vote in their local polling station. The last category includes students on full-time third level courses.

Student and youth groups had been arguing for the election to be held at a weekend to help increase turnout by those who might still be in college on polling day but who might not have got round to ordering a postal vote.

The Union of Students in Ireland yesterday urged all young people who have yet to register to vote to apply to their local authority to do so. “Every vote will count in this election so every student must take action to ensure they are registered,” said USI president Colm Hamrogue.

“Students risk giving politicians carte blanche to ignore them if they do not take steps to protect their right to be heard,” he said.