Referendum date set for October 4th

Voting in the two forthcoming referendums will take place on Friday, October 4th between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

Eligible voters who are not on the register of electors have until September 17th to get registered.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan yesterday made an order setting the day and the times of voting for the referendums on the abolition of the Seanad and the establishment of a court of appeal.

The Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013 was passed by the Seanad on Tuesday and the Thirty-third Amendment of the Constitution (Court of Appeal) Bill 2013 was passed yesterday.

Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile, a principal officer in the Department of the Environment, has been appointed as the returning officer for the referendums.

People who are eligible to vote but who are not registered can apply up to Tuesday, September 17th to their local authority for inclusion on the supplement to the register of electors to be published before polling day. Application forms (RFA2) can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie or can be obtained from city or county councils.

To be eligible for inclusion in the supplement to the register a person must be an Irish citizen, must be 18 years of age by polling day and must be ordinarily resident in the State.

Applications must be signed by the voter in the presence of a member of the Garda Síochána from the applicant’s local Garda station who must first be satisfied as to the person’s identity before signing, dating and stamping the form. The garda may request photographic or other identification.

If a person is eligible to vote by post, or is unable to vote in person due to a physical illness or physical disability and is resident in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, and they are not already on the postal voters list or special voters list they can apply up to Monday September 9th for inclusion.