Ahern 'deliberately disenfranchising young voters'

Green Party Leader Trevor Sargent has today described Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's decision to hold a Thursday election as "a deliberate attempt to exclude young people from voting".

"The Taoiseach has been unable to justify his decision to call a Thursday election, rather than a weekend one," said Sargent at a photocall in Drumcondra this morning. "Make no mistake; this is a cynical ploy to exclude young people from voting. What is the Taoiseach afraid of?

"I am calling on all people who value their right to vote to punish this Government for attempting to exclude them from the democratic process, by re-registering to vote.

If the Taoiseach's decision is excluding you from voting in your home constituency, you have until Saturday to get on the supplementary register. Do not let the Taoiseach's decision deprive you of your democratic right!"

Green Party director of elections John Gormley echoed the call.

"The lack of weekend voting means thousands of young people will not be able to vote," he said. "It is still possible for people to temporarily deregister in their home constituency and register where they currently live.

"This can be done through an RFA2 supplementary register form, which is available in post and council offices, and online."