Independents at an unfair disadvantage

I WISH to protest at the way the Government has now decreed that independent candidates in local elections must get 15 people from their electoral areas to sponsor them.

Candidates who are members of political parties however do not have any such problem as they go straight into the election race without any trouble whatsoever.

People like me have to ask not alone for votes, but for voters to nominate me.

Those who nominate me must be over 18, on the voting register, have a photo ID, passport or driving licence, and they must go to the town clerk in the town hall to sign the nomination papers.

I feel this is most unfair and gives the party people an advantage in the elections.

It makes some citizens more equal than others and goes against the spirit of the Constitution.

The Government, with the stroke of its pen, has made me and other independent candidates second-class citizens.

If I had the money I would challenge this unfair ruling in the courts, but I don’t think the Government would give me free legal aid to bring a case against it. .

The cards are stacked against me by Big Brother who will talk about equality and civil rights in other countries while failing to live up to them at home.

Martin Ford,

27, St Anne’s Terrace,

Sligo.