Sir, – It never ceases to amaze me the number of spoiled votes which are cast in each and every election and referendum. Analysing the figures as published in The Irish Times(Vote, 2011, October 31st), it would appear that nationally in the presidential election some 18,676 people (1.04 per cent of votes cast) spoiled their votes. Whether this is because they had no preference, or were making an error in marking their preferences on the ballot sheet I cannot say.
In the two referendums on which we were asked to indicate our preference, the average percentage was 2.51 per cent – more than twice the level of spoiled votes in the presidential election: Judges’ pay 37,696 or 2.29 per cent, Oireachtas inquiry 45,025 or 2.73 per cent. I am putting this down to the voters’ confusion, it was not good enough that the ballot paper simply indicated that you were voting on either the 29th or 30th amendment, the words “Amendment on judges’ pay”, and “Amendment on Oireachtas Inquiry” should have been clearly marked on the heading of each ballot paper.
Finally, how did 20 people go missing on the day of the election? The electorate for the presidential election was stated to be 3,191,177, whereas the electorate for the Referendums was stated to be 3,191,157! – Yours, etc,