Electoral commission says election candidates should not have to put their addresses on ballot papers

An Coimisiún Toghcháin's recommendations arise from concerns publishing candidates' addresses could pose a safety risk for them and their families

Under the Electoral Act 1992, candidates seeking to run for election to the Dáil must provide an address on the nomination paper, which is subsequently published on the ballot paper. File picture: Larry Cummins 

There should be no automatic requirement for election candidates to put their addresses on ballots, Ireland's electoral commission has found.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin has published a research and recommendations paper on the inclusion of candidates’ addresses on ballot papers. It arose from concerns including a candidate’s address on the ballot paper could be a safety and privacy risk for them and their families.

Concern was raised by the Oireachtas taskforce in its report on 'Safe Participation in Political Life'.

Under the Electoral Act 1992, candidates seeking to run for election to the Dáil must provide an address on the nomination paper, which is subsequently published on the ballot paper.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin has made a number of recommendations for reform to the housing minister and Government.

To "address concerns about candidate safety whilst protecting the integrity of the electoral process", there should be a break in the automatic link between the address provided on the nomination paper for verification purposes and the address to appear on ballot papers and in other public places;

A nomination paper should require two addresses — one exclusively for the electoral administration, and a second address to appear on the ballot paper and on public notices.

There should be clear, acceptable options for candidates in deciding their address for publication on the ballot paper.

Three such options are proposed: 

• A full address;
• A partial address;
• The area in which the address is located (local electoral area or electoral division).

Ms Justice Marie Baker, chair of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, said the commission believed the issue required a broader response and would encourage all relevant stakeholders to reflect and take appropriate action, "as these threats are an affront to the health of our democracy".

An Coimisiún Toghcháin chief executive Art O’Leary said candidates' addresses had "been part of our democratic tradition since before the foundation of the State" and "has stood as a symbol of openness and accountability — a reminder that those who seek public office do so in full view of the people they wish to serve". 

However, he said change was needed.

“Having listened to the voices of political actors, candidates and their families, and looked carefully at how candidates’ addresses are shared and used, An Coimisiún believes these proposed reforms honour both our tradition and the real world in which we now live."