Constitution Convention votes for larger constituencies

The Convention on the Constitution has today voted in favour of amending the current Dáil electoral system.

Some 86% of members voted to retain the current single transferable voting system - with modifications to include larger constituencies.

However, 59% voted not to change the current number of TDs in Dáil Éireann, with 4% expressing no opinion.

Full results of today's #ccven votes this morning pic.twitter.com/yNDsQyXLTj

— Ken Curtin 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 (@kencurtin) June 9, 2013

The results of the ballot follow four days of debate on the Dáil electoral system where members of the Convention heard expert analysis of the current system as well as international systems

Chairman of the Constitutional Convention, Tom Arnold, said the emphasis is now on making the voting system easier for people.

"The question before the delegates was whether they wish to retain the current system of single transferable voting or move to a new system with a list-based [system] … and people voted to retain this current system, with some modifications."

Some 83% also voted to introduce some measure of "direct democracy" or citizens'' initiates, with "adequate safeguards".