The exciting news that we may see a new party on our ballot papers at the next election has increased speculation that it may not be the only one. While forming a political party can be agreed very quickly, official registration is not something done overnight. First, the group must decide whether it wishes to be registered in part of the State or in the whole State. The former is easier than the latter. Then it must apply to the clerk of the Dail, Kieran Coughlan, for it is he who holds the power of yae or nay.
The Electoral Act 1992 eased the democratic path towards registration, but now it appears its provisions are considered a bit too loose and a tightening of regulations is expected from the Department of the Environment. Currently the basic criteria is that the clerk must believe the party is genuine. The act also stipulates that it must have a name (not unduly long), be different from parties already registered and that it supplies the names of officers to sign certificates authenticating candidates.
But how does the clerk form the opinion that a party is genuine, for on that basis rests everything. Well, considerations include having some degree of organisation, a distinctive message and possibly a constitution and holding an AGM or public meeting. Newspaper cuttings and pamphlets can be produced as evidence. If the registrar/clerk turns down the party, it can appeal, or candidates can contest an election with the description non-party.
Contrary to perception, no money is required to register a political party, although it might cost plenty to start and run it. So there you have it. The last national parties which registered, working backwards, were the Socialist Workers' Party (Carolann Duggan), the Christian Democrats (Nora Bennis), the Socialist Party (Joe Higgins TD), the Natural Law Party, the Christian Solidarity Party, Sinn Fein, the PDs, the Greens and the Communist Party of Ireland. Some applicants have been turned down. Ming the Merciless was one.
The registrar usually receives a flood of applications when election fever gets going. His greatest difficulty may be in finding distinctions, since some say all parties are the same nowadays, i.e. anti-sleaze, but, Quidnunc asks, has he given sufficient thought to how to deal with the first item on each agenda - the split.