Fine Gael says Varadkar did not break electoral law with polling station video

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fine Gael senator Mary Seery Kearney arrive at a polling station in Dublin 

The Taoiseach did not break electoral rules by filming a campaign video outside his local polling station, Fine Gael has said.

Leo Varadkar participated in a social media video for his political party outside Scoil Treasa Naofa after voting in both referendums on Friday.

In the Instagram video, the Fine Gael leader encouraged viewers to vote yes in the referenda.

It was filmed around the corner from the entrance to the polling station.

No breach of the Electoral Act took place

The Electoral Act 1992 and Referendum Act 1994 states that a person shall not interfere with, obstruct, impede electors within 100 metres of a polling station.

It also says a person should not attempt to induce voters to vote in a particular way “by any means whatsoever” or use public-address mechanisms to broadcast matter relating to the vote – in the pursuit of a particular result in the referendum.

Asked about the campaign video, a spokeswoman for Fine Gael told the PA news agency: “No breach of the Electoral Act took place. The Taoiseach did not obstruct, interfere or induce any electors in the vicinity of the polling station.”