50,000 immigrants urged to vote

MORE than 50,000 immigrant voters are being encouraged to register to vote for next year’s local and European elections.

A campaign has been launched to encourage Ireland’s newest residents to play their part on polling day. Over the coming months, campaigning will be carried out in trade unions, third level colleges and the workplace in a bid to get immigrants to vote.

Organised by the Africa Centre and New Community Partnership (NCP), the campaign was launched in Dublin yesterday. Co-ordinator Issah Huseini with the NCP, which represents over 78 ethnic minorities, said: “In June 2009, immigrant voters will show their political power and demonstrate to our elected officials and political leaders that they are politically engaged and prepared to fight for their rights and the dignity of their communities.”

The voter registration initiative hopes to inform immigrants about their right to vote, as well as train candidates.

The immigrant groups intend to list at least 50,000 people from ethnic communities on the electoral register, distributing leaflets and posters about voting rights as well as establishing links with city, town and county councils.

At least 10 immigrant candidates nationwide have so far declared interests in running in next summer’s elections.

The voting awareness campaign is being funded by a British quaker-linked charity as well as the St Stephen’s Green Trust, an Irish grant organisation.

Fianna Fáil said yesterday it was considering a number of immigrant nominees nationwide. Fine Gael said it was so far fielding two immigrant candidates from Nigeria and Poland.

Labour has so far decided on two candidates, from Moldova and Holland. The Green party is running at least three, including two Nigerians and an American.

Tendai Madondo, 33, an independent immigrant candidate in Tallaght said: “The migrant vote is vitally important considering the demographic change in Ireland in recent years.” The Zimbabwean mother-of-two works for an international aid agency and has lived here for six years. “I never had an opportunity to run [as a candidate] in my home country.”

www.newcommunities.ie