Integrity of the electoral system 'fundamental' to democracy

The possibility of physical threats and intimidation at polling stations and count centres has risen since the last elections four years ago. What measures can gardaí and electoral officers take to counter these threats?

Since the last elections four years ago, there have been dramatic changes to the political landscape, such as the widespread disorder at the Dublin riots last November. Election authorities are conscious it may spill over onto the electoral system itself. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Gardaí, the Electoral Commission and the country’s 28 returning officers know that the political landscape has changed dramatically since the last elections four years ago.

In addition to arson attacks on asylum centres, intimidation outside the homes of politicians, violence directed at gardaí at protests, the widespread disorder at the Dublin riots last November, election authorities are conscious of harassment of public workers in libraries from far-right individuals.