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Uimhir 30 de 1937.
ACHT TOGHACHÁIN AN tSEANAID (BAILL PHRÍOMH-SCOILE), 1937.
CUID I.
Roimhraiteach agus Generalta.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Féadfar Acht Toghacháin an tSeanaid (Baill Phríomh-Scoile), 1937, do ghairm den Acht so.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht so i ngníomh díreach tar éis teacht i ngníomh do Bhunreacht na hÉireann d'achtuigh an Pobal le déanaí.
Mínithe.
3.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Puiblí;
cialluíonn an abairt “olltoghachán Seanaid” an méid sin d'olltoghachán do chomhaltaí do Sheanad Éireann a comórfar do réir Airtiogail 18 den Bhunreacht, a bhainfidh le toghachán na gcomhaltaí sin gur gá do réir an Airtiogail sin 18 gur ollscoileanna a thoghfadh iad;
cialluíonn an abairt “an chéad olltoghachán Seanaid” an chéad olltoghachán Seanaid a comórfar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so;
cialluíonn an abairt “toghachán corra Seanaid” comhalta de Sheanad Éireann do thoghadh chun ionaid chomhalta do toghadh ag ollscoil agus gur fágadh a shuidheachán folamh tré n-a éag, a eirghe as no a dhí-cháiliú;
foluíonn an abairt “toghachán Seanaid” olltoghachán Seanaid agus toghachán corra Seanaid;
nuair a húsáidtear an focal “toghachán” gan coinníoll foluíonn sé olltoghachán agus toghachán corra;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so.
Rialacháin.
4.—Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin do dhéanamh ag ordú éinní no aon ruda dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá crduithe no le hordú.
Costaisí.
5.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é, is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar na costaisí uile fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun an Achta so do chur i bhfeidhm.
CUID II.
Toghdais, Togh-Choras, agus Claru.
Toghdais agus toghthóirí.
6.—(1) I ngach toghachán Seanaid—
(a) beidh Ollscoil na hÉireann ina toghdas (dá ngairmtear toghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann san Acht so) chun triúr comhalta do thoghadh chun Seanad Éireann, agus
(b) beidh Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath ina toghdas (dá ngairmtear toghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath san Acht so) chun triúr comhalta do thoghadh chun Seanad Éireann, agus
(c) gach duine bheidh cláruithe mar thoghthóir de thurus na huaire ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do thoghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann beidh sé i dteideal vótála sa toghdas san, agus
(d) gach duine bheidh cláruithe mar thoghthóir de thurus na huaire ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do thoghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath beidh sé i dteideal vótála sa toghdas san.
(2) Ní bheidh éinne i dteideal vótála i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile mara mbeidh sé cláruithe mar thoghthóir ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghdas san.
(3) Ní thabharfaidh éinní atá san alt so teideal do dhuine ar bith chun vótála i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile faid a bheidh toirmeasctha air do réir dlí vótáil amhlaidh, ná ní shaorfaidh éinní atá alt so duine ar bith o aon phionóisí dhlighfe sé a chur air mar gheall ar vótáil amhlaidh.
(4) San Acht so gairmtear toghdais ollscoile de thoghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann agus de thoghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath agus san Acht so léireofar an abairt “toghdas ollscoile” dá réir sin.
Togh-chóras.
7.—(1) Gach duine is saoránach d'Éirinn agus a fuair céim (seachas céim oinigh) in Ollscoil na hÉireann agus ag á mbeidh bliain agus fiche slán, beidh sé i dteideal é chlárú mar thoghthóir ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do thoghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann.
(2) Gach duine is saoránach d'Éirinn agus a fuair céim (seachas céim oinigh) in Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath no fuair scoláireacht bhunathachta san Ollscoil sin no, más bean an duine sin, a fuair scoláireacht nach scoláireacht bhunathachta san Ollscoil sin agus (in aon chás) ag á mbeidh bliain agus fiche slán, beidh sé i dteideal é chlárú mar thoghthóir ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do thoghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath.
Rollaí de thoghthóirí.
8.—(1) Cuirfidh cólucht rialuithe gach ollscoile is toghdas ollscoile fé ndeár rolla (dá ngairmtear rolla de thoghthóirí san Acht so) do choimeád do réir an Achta so de sna daoine bheidh de thurus na huaire i dteideal iad do chlárú mar thoghthóirí sa toghdas san.
(2) Gach rolla de thoghthóirí bheidh á choimeád fén Acht so alos toghdais ollscoile beidh sé sa bhfuirm sin a dhéanfaidh cólucht rialuithe na hollscoile gurb í an toghdas san í a ordú-le ceadú an Aire.
(3) An rolla de thoghthóirí do hullamhuíodh agus atá á choimeád do réir an Achta Timpeal Toghachán, 1923 (Uimh. 12 de 1923), agus do tháinig i bhfeidhm an 1adh lá de Mheitheamh, 1937, do thoghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann do bunuíodh leis an Acht san, tiocfa sé chun bheith agus beidh sé, díreach ar theacht i bheidhm don Acht so, ina rolla de thoghthóirí chun crícheanna an Achta so do thoghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann agus as san amach coimeádfaidh cólucht rialuithe Ollscoil na hÉireann é do réir an Achta so.
(4) An clár de thoghthóirí do hullamhuíodh agus atá á choimeád do réir an Achta Timpeal Toghachán 1923 (Uimh. 12 de 1923), agus do tháinig i bhfeidhm an 1adh lá de Mheitheamh, 1937, do thoghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath do bunuíodh leis an Acht san, tiocfa sé chun bheith agus beidh sé, díreach ar theacht i bhfeidhm don Acht so, ina chlár de thoghthóirí chun crícheanna an Achta so do thoghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath agus as san amach coimeádfaidh cólucht rialuithe Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath é do réir an Achta so.
(5) Ní éileoidh cólucht rialuithe ollscoile aon táille alos duine ar bith do chlárú ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghdas ollscoile gurb é an ollscoil sin é.
Oifigigh chlárathachta agus athscrúdú bliantúil na rollaí.
9.—(1) Beidh oifigeach clárathachta ann do gach toghdas ollscoile fé leith agus isé cólucht rialuithe na hollscoile gurb í an toghdas í a cheapfaidh agus a íocfaidh an t-oifigeach san.
(2) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach oifigeach clárathachta do thoghdas ollscoile an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghdas san d'athscrúdú in aghaidh na bliana do réir na rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
(3) Gach athscrúdú bliantúil a déanfar, do réir an ailt seo, ar rolla de thoghthóirí, críochnófar é roimh an 1adh lá de Mheitheamh agus tiocfa sé i bhfeidhm an lá san agus déanfar é i slí go mbeidh an rolla san de thoghthóirí ina rolla chruinn, chó fada agus is féidir é, de sna daoine bhí cáilithe an 15adh lá de Mhí na Samhna díreach roimhe sin chun iad do chlárú ar an rolla san de thoghthóirí.
Lánas rollaí de thogthóirí.
10.—Beidh ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do gach toghdas ollscoile ainmneacha na ndaoine uile bheidh i dteideal fén Acht so iad do chlárú mar thoghthóirí sa toghdas san agus beidh air, freisin, alos gach duine den tsórt san, an seoladh ag á mbíonn sé ina ghnáthchomhnaí agus freisin, más mian leis é, seoladh eile mar sheoladh gur chuige a cuirfear a pháipéirí ballóide.
Athchomhairc i gcoinnibh breithe an oifigigh chlárathachta.
11.—(1) Luighfidh athchomharc chun Bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda bheidh dáilithe don Chuaird gurb é atá inti ná contaebhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath no ina bhfuil an chontae-bhuirg sin o aon bhreith a bhéarfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta do thoghdas ollscoile uaidh ar aon éileamh no agóid a bhreithneoidh sé fén Acht so.
(2) Luighfidh athchomharc chun na hArd-Chúirte ar phuíntí dlí amháin o bhreith a bhéarfaidh Breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda uaidh ar athchomharc fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so.
(3) Ní luighfidh aon athchomhare o bhreith a bhéarfaidh an Ard-Chúirt uaithi ar athchomharc fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so.
(4) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis breith do bheith tugtha ar athchomhare fén alt so, cuirfidh clárathóir na Cúirte fógra i dtaobh na breithe sin chun an oifigigh chlárathachta, agus déanfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta na hatharuithe sin ar an rolla de thoghthóirí is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt don bhreith sin.
(5) Ar aon athchomharc fén alt so, ainmneofar an t-oifigeach clárathachta mar an gcosantóir no mar dhuine de sna cosantóirí
CUID III.
Toghachain do Stiuradh.
Lactheanta agus tráthanna d'olltoghacháin Seanaid do cheapadh.
12.—(1) Roimh gach ollthoghachán Seanaid, ceapfaidh an tAire le hordú, chun crícheanna an toghacháin sin—
(a) an lá (dá ngairmtear san Acht so an lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh) is lá deiridh ar a nglacfaidh an ceann comhrimh ainmniúcháin iarrthóirí i dtoghdais ollscoile;
(b) an lá (dá ngairmtear san Acht so an lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach) a bhéarfar amach agus a postálfar na páipéirí ballóide chun toghthóirí i dtoghdais ollscoile;
(c) an lá agus an uair (dá ngairmtear san Acht so críochnú na vótaíochta) a críochnófar an vótaíocht i dtoghdais ollscoile.
(2) I gcás an chéad olltoghacháin Seanaid, déanfar an t-ordú fén alt so chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so agus, i gcás gach olltoghacháin Seanaid ina dhiaidh sin, déanfar an t-ordú fén alt so laistigh de sheacht lá tar éis an scurtha de Dháil Éireann gurb é fé ndeár an t-olltoghachán san.
(3) Gach ordú dhéanfaidh an tAire fén alt so foillseofar é san Iris Oifigiúil chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta.
Orduithe toghacháin chorra Seanaid.
13.—(1) Pé uair a chuirfidh Cléireach Sheanad Éireann, le hordú Sheanad Éireann, in úil don Aire gur thárla folúntas i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann de bhíthin comhalta dhe do thoigh toghdas ollscoile d'éag, d'eirghe as no do theacht fé dhícháilíocht, déanfaidh an tAire le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú toghacháin chorra Seanaid san Acht so), chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin agus, in aon chás, fé cheann sé mhí ar a mhéid tar éis an eolais sin d'fháil, a ordú toghachán corra do chomóradh sa toghdas san chun an fholúntais sin do líonadh agus ceapfa sé leis an ordú san, chun crícheanna an toghacháin chorra san, an lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh, an lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, agus an lá agus an uair chun na vótaíochta do chríochnú.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú toghacháin chorra Seanaid, comórfar an toghachán corra a hordófar leis an ordú san do réir an orduithe sin agus an Achta so.
Cinn chomhrimh.
14.—(1) I ngach toghachán i dtoghdas Ollscoil na hÉireann isé bheidh ina cheann chomhrimh ná Leas-Seansailéir Ollscoil na hÉireann.
(2) I ngach toghachán i dtoghdas Ollscoil Bhaile Atha Cliath isé bheidh ina cheann chomhrimh ná Profast Choláiste na Tríonóide. Baile Atha Cliath.
(3) Más rud é, le linn toghacháin i dtoghdas ollscoile, go mbeidh an oifig folamh a luaidhtear san alt so mar oifig a dheineann ceann comhrimh don toghdas san dá sealbhóir, no ná beidh ar chumas sealbhóra na hoifige sin, de dheascaibh droch-shláinte no aon chúise eile, gníomhú mar cheann chomhrimh sa toghachán san, ceapfaidh cólucht rialuithe na hollscoile gurb í an toghdas san í oifigeach éigin eile den ollscoil sin chun bheith ina cheann chomhrimh don toghdas san sa toghachán san.
E bheith de dhualgas ar an gceann comhrimh togacháin do stiúradh.
15.—(1) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar an gceann coimhrimh do thoghdas ollscoile gach toghachán a comórfar sa toghdas san do stiúradh, na vótanna do bhéarfar ann do chomhreamh, agus a thoradh d'fháil amach agus do dhearbhú do réir an Achta so agus na rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal agus sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so agus pé nithe agus rudaí eile do dhéanamh maidir leis an toghachán san a ceangailtear air leis an Acht so no leis na rialacha san do dhéanamh.
(2) Ullamhóidh an tAire Airgid scála d'éilithe maximum do chinn chomhrimh i dtoghdais ollscoile, agus íocfaidh an tAire sin le gach ceann comhrimh den tsórt san, amach as an bPrímh-Chiste no as a thoradh fáis, a chuid éilithe réasúnta alos a sheirbhísí agus a chostaisí maidir le gach toghachán sa toghdas ollscoile ina mbeidh sé ina cheann chomhrimh, ach gan iad a bheith níos mó in aon chás ná na héilithe maximum a bheidh luaidhte sa scála san d'éilithe maximum a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire
Iarrthóirí d'ainmniú.
16.—(1) Déanfar gach iarrthóir i dtoghachán i dtoghdar ollscoile d'ainmniú i scríbhinn ar pháipéar ainmniúcháin ar n-a shighniú ag dhá thoghthóir chláruithe den toghdas mar thairgtheoir agus mar chuiditheoir fé seach agus ag ocht dtoghthóirí cláruithe eile den toghdas mar dhaoine a thoilíonn leis an ainmniúchán.
(2) Einne bheidh de thurus na huaire dí-cháilithe chun a thoghtha no neamh-iontoghtha mar chomhalta de Dháil Éireann ní bheidh sé ina iarrthóir i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile.
(3) Féadfaidh toghthóir an oiread páipéar ainmniúcháin do shighniú (pe'ca mar thairgtheoir, mar chuiditheoir no mar thoghthóir toilitheach é) agus a bheidh d'fholúntaisí le líonadh agus ní níos mó ná san.
(4) Déanfar gach iarrthóir do thuairisciú sa pháipéar ainmniúcháin do réir a ainme, a sheolta agus a thuairisce i slí is leor, dar leis an gceann comhrimh, chun an iarrthóra san d'aithint.
(5) Beidh gach páipéar ainmniúcháin sa bhfuirm orduithe agus bhéarfaidh an ceann comhrimh d'aon toghthóir cláruithe den toghdas an méid sin d'fhuirmeacha páipéar ainmniúcháin a theastóidh uaidh do réir réasúin.
Fógra i dtaobh tráthanna agus áiteanna d'fhoillsiú.
17.—(1) I ngach toghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh sa toghdas san fógra puiblí do thabhairt uaidh, na tráthanna luaidhtear sa chéad fho-alt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so agus i pé slí is dóich leis is ceart, i dtaobh na nithe so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na tráthanna agus na háiteanna inar féidir páipéirí ainmniúcháin d'fháil uaidh;
(b) an lá bheidh ceaptha fén Acht so chun bheith ina lá dheiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh;
(c) an áit ina mbeidh sé i láthair chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh an lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh;
(d) an lá bheidh ceaptha fén Acht so chun bheith ina lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach agus an tráth agus an áit ina dtabharfaidh páipéirí ballóide amach an lá san;
(e) an lá agus an uair a bheidh ceaptha fén Acht so chun na vótaíochta do chríochnú.
(2) An fógra is gá do réir an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so don cheann chomhrimh a thabhairt uaidh bhéarfar é, i gcás olltoghacháin Seanaid, ar dháta nach déanaí ná trí lá tar éis dáta an orduithe ón Aire ag ceapadh an lae dheiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh sa toghachán san agus, i gcás toghacháin chorra Seanaid, bhéarfar é ar dháta nach déanaí ná trí lá tar éis dáta an orduithe toghacháin chorra Seanaid alos an toghacháin sin.
An ceann comhrimh do ghlacadh páipéar ainmniúcháin.
18.—(1) Isé an t-iarrthóir a bheidh ainmnithe i bpáipéar ainmniúcháin no an duine bheidh luaidhte ann mar thairgtheoir no mar chuiditheoir a sheachadfaidh an páipéar ainmniúcháin sin don cheann chomhrimh agus is tar éis foillsithe an fhógra foillseofar do réir an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den Acht so agus roimh a dó-dhéag a chlog meán lae an lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh a seachadfar amhlaidh é agus, má seachadtar amhlaidh é roimh a deich a chlog maidin an lae sin, coimeádfaidh an ceann comhrimh é go dtí an uair sin is déanaí luaidhtear.
(2) An lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh beidh an ceann comhrimh i láthair, san áit a luadhfar chuige sin sa bhfógra san a foillseofar do réir an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den Acht so, ar feadh iomlán na tréimhse o n-a deich a chlog ar maidin go dtí n-a dó-dhéag a chlog meán lae chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh agus déanfaidh, i dtosach na tréimhse sin, gach páipéar ainmniúcháin a bheidh faighte aige roimhe sin do thaisbeáint agus déanfaidh, ar feadh na coda eile den tréimhse sin, aon pháipéirí ainmniúcháin eile tairgfear dó do ghlacadh.
(3) Déanfar gach agóid i gcoinnibh páipéir ainmniúcháin chun an chinn chomhrimh san áit sin agus i rith na tréimhse sin chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh agus breithneoidh an ceann comhrimh í agus bhéarfaidh breith uirthi i rith na tréimhse sin no chó luath ina dhiaidh sin agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin ach ní níos déanaí ná a haon a chlog tráthnóna an lae dheiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh.
(4) Más rud é, ar a haon a chlog tráthnóna an lae dheiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh, ná beidh níos mó iarrthóirí ainmnithe ná mar a bheidh d'fholúntaisí le líonadh, dearbhóidh an ceann comhrimh láithreach na hiarrthóirí bheidh ainmnithe amhlaidh do bheith toghtha agus tuairisceoidh a n-ainmneacha de Chléireach Dháil Éireann agus (ach amháin i gcás an chéad olltoghacháin Seanaid) do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann.
(5) I gcás an chéad olltoghacháin Seanaid cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh go dtí Cléireach Sheanad Éireann, chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an Chléirigh sin do cheapadh, cóip den tuairisceán is gá, do réir an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, do chur go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann.
(6) Más rud é, ar a haon a chlog tráthnóna an lae dheiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh, go mbeidh níos mó iarrthóirí ainmnithe ná mar a bheidh d'fholúntaisí le líonadh, cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh an toghachán ar athló agus déanfaidh vótaíocht do réir an Achta so.
(7) An bhreith do bhéarfaidh an ceann comhrimh ar agóid i gcoinnibh páipéir ainmniúcháin no ar aon cheist eile eireoidh maidir leis na hiarrthóirí d'ainmniú, beidh sí ina breith dheiridh agus ní bheidh sí in-athbhreithnithe ag aon Chúirt.
(8) Beidh gach iarrthóir a bheidh ainmnithe i bpáipéar ainmniúcháin agus a thairgtheoir agus a chuiditheoir agus duine amháin eile ainmneoidh sé agus ní bheidh aon daoine eile (seachas congantóirí bheidh ar fostú ag an gceann comhrimh) i dteideal bheith i láthair ag na himeachta le linn na bpáipéar ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh agus breith do thabhairt ortha.
Iarrthóirí do tharrac siar.
19.—(1) Féadfaidh iarrthóir, roimh a haon a chlog tráthnóna an lae dheiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh, ach ní níos déanaí ná san, tarrac siar o bheith ina iarrthóir tré fhógra sa chéill sin, fé n-a láimh, do thabhairt don cheann chomhrimh.
(2) Má hainmnítear iarrthóir le linn é bheith as láthair o Éirinn, féadfaidh a thairgtheoir agus a chuiditheoir, roimh a haon a chlog an lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh, ach ní níos déanaí ná san, an t-iarrthóir sin do tharrac siar tré fhógra i scríbhinn sa chéill sin, fé n-a lámha, do thabhairt don cheann chomhrimh maraon le dearbhú i scríbhinn á rá go bhfuil an t-iarrthóir sin as láthair o Éirinn.
(3) Más rud é, tar éis don cheann chomhrimh toghachán do chur ar athló chun vótaíocht do dhéanamh, go bhfaighidh duine de sna hiarrthóirí bheidh ainmnithe bás roimh an lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh, ar bheith deimhnitheach dó go bhfuair an duine sin bás, an vótaíocht d'fhreasordú agus, leis sin, tosnófar as an nua na himeachta uile bhaineann leis an toghachán agus, chun na críche sin, ceapfaidh an tAire, le hordú, laetheanta nua chun ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh agus chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach agus lá agus uair nua chun na vótaíochta do chríochnú, ach sa toghachán nua san ní gá aon ainmniúchán nua maidir le haon iarrthóir a bhí ainmnithe le linn na vótaíochta d'fhreas-ordú.
Páipéirí ballóide.
20.—(1) I ngach toghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile isé bheidh mar bhallóid ag gach vótálaí fé leith ná páipéar (dá ngairmtear páipéar ballóide san Acht so) ar a mbeidh liost de sna hiarrthóirí ina mbeidh a n-ainmneacha, a seolta, agus na mion-innste ina dtaobh fé mar a bheid luaidhte ar a bpáipéirí ainmniúcháin fé seach agus na hiarrthóirí in eagar aibítre do réir ord a sloinnte agus, i gcás có-ionannas sloinnte, do réir ord a n-ainmneacha eile.
(2) Is sa bhfuirm orduithe bheidh na páipéirí ballóide agus beidh uimhir clóbhuailte ar chúl gach páipéir bhallóide agus beidh có-dhuille, agus an uimhir chéanna clóbhuailte ar a aghaidh. ceangailte dhe agus le linn a thabhartha amach marcálfar gach páipéar ballóide ar a dhá thaobh le marc oifigiúil a stampálfar air no a pollfar tríd.
(3) Clóbhuailfear sloinne gach iarrthóra fé leith i leitreacha móra ar na páipéirí ballóide agus clóbhuailfear a ainm eile agus a sheoladh agus a thuairisc i leitreacha beaga ach pé uair is ionann sloinne do dhá iarrthóir no níos mó clóbhuailfear i leitreacha móra (i dteanta a sloinnte) ainmneacha eile na n-iarrthóirí sin agus oiread de sheoladh no de thuairisc no de sheoladh agus de thuairisc gach iarrthóra acu san agus a chuirfidh in úil go soiléir, dar leis an gceann comhrimh, cé hé an t-iarrthóir sin.
Páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach.
21.—(1) An lá a bheidh ceaptha chun páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile do thabhairt amach déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh sa toghachán san páipéar ballóide maraon le fuirm dhearbhuithe céannachta do chur tríd an bpost chun gach duine go mbeidh a ainm ar an gclár de thoghthóirí don toghdas san.
(2) Is sa bhfuirm orduithe bheidh gach dearbhú céannachta.
(3) Nuair a bheidh an ceann comhrimh i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile ag cur amach agus ag fáil na bpáipéirí ballóide sa toghachán san agus ag deighleáil leo ar shlí eile, déanfaidh do réir na rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhnn leis an Acht so.
An modh vótála.
22.—(1) Gach duine bheidh i dteideal vótála i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile beidh sé i dteideal vótála sa toghachán san sa tslí seo leanas agus ní hin aon tslí eile, sé sin le rá, tré pháipéar bhallóide cuirfear chuige fén Acht so do mharcáil agus do chur thar n-ais go dtí an ceann comhrimh sa toghachán san tríd an bpost maraon leis an bhfuirm dhearbhuithe céannachta cuirfear chuige amhlaidh i dteanta an pháipéar bhálloide sin agus an dearbhú san déanta agus críochnuithe go cuibhe aige.
(2) Caithfidh toghthóir agus é ag tabhairt a vóta i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile, an figiúir 1 do chur ar a pháipéar ballóide os coinne ainm an iarrthóra le n-a mbeidh sé ag vótáil agus féadfaidh ina theanta san na figiúirí 2 agus 3, no 2. 3, agus 4 agus mar sin de do chur ar a pháipéar ballóide os coinne ainmneacha iarrthóirí eile in ord a rogha.
(3) Aon pháipéar ballóide—
(a) ná beidh an marc oifigiúil air, no
(b) ná beidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar curtha air in aon chor no ná beidh sé curtha air i slí go dtaisbeánfaidh céad-rogha d'iarrthóir éigin, no
(c) ar a mbeidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céadrogha, curtha os coinne ainme níos mó ná aon iarrthóra amháin, no
(d) ar a mbeidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céadrogha, maraon le huimhir éigin eile curtha os coinne ainme an aon iarrthóra amháin, no
(e) ar a mbeidh éinní, ach an uimhir ar an gcúl, scríobhtha no marcálta tré n-ar féidir an vótálaí d'aithint,
beidh sé gan bhrí agus ní comhreofar é.
Toradh an toghacháin do dhéanamh amach agus do dhearbhú.
23.—(1) Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis na vótaíochta i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile do bheith críochnuithe, déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh sa toghachán san toradh an toghacháin amach, i bhfianaise na n-iarrthóirí sin agus a ngníomhairí fé seach a bheidh i láthair, do réir an Achta so agus go sonnrách do réir na rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal agus sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so agus dearbhóidh sé na hiarrthóirí do bheith toghtha a déanfar amach amhlaidh do bheith toghtha.
(2) An bhreith do bhéarfaidh an ceann comhrimh ar aon cheist eireoidh i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile i dtaobh na bpáipéirí ballóide, na ndearbhuithe céannachta no na gclúdach ina mbeid no ar éinní eile eireoidh i dtaobh na vótanna do thabhairt amach, d'fháil no do chomhreamh, beidh sí ina breith dheiridh, ach féadfaidh Cúirt a thrialfaidh achuinge thoghacháin i dtaobh an toghacháin sin claochló do dhéanamh uirthi.
Rún do choimeád ar an vótáil.
24.—(1) Déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh agus gach duine dá chongantóirí go mbeidh baint acu le páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, d'fháil no do chomhreamh i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile agus gach iarrthóir agus gníomhaire bheidh i láthair agus na páipéirí sin á dtabhairt amach, á bhfáil, no á gcomhreamh, rún do choimeád agus cabhrú chun rún do choimeád ar an vótáil sa toghachán san agus ní thabharfaid uatha roimh chríochnú an toghacháin, ach amháin chun críche éigin le n-a mbeidh údarás dlí, aon eolas i dtaobh ce'ca vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe sa toghachán san no nár vótáil, ná i dtaobh an mhaire oifigiúil, agus ní thabharfaid d'éinne uair ar bith aon eolas, do gheobhfar le linn no i gcúrsa na tabhartha amach, na fála, no an chomhrimh sin, i dtaobh cé hé an t-iarrthóir gur vótáil no nár vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe leis ná i dtaobh na huimhreach ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide do cuireadh chun aon toghthóra áirithe.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh éinne cur isteach ná iarracht ar chur isteach ar aon toghthóir i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile d'fháil no do mharcáil a pháipéir bhallóide no do chur an pháipéir sin thar n-ais.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh éinne go díreach ná go nea-dhíreach a thabhairt ar aon toghthóir i toghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile a pháipéar ballóide do thaisbeáint, tar éis é dá mharcáil, i slí go nochtfaí don duine sin no d'éinne eile ainm aon iarrthóra 'nar mharcáil sé a vóta leis ar an bpáipéar ballóide sin.
(4) Gach éinne ghníomhóidh contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí do chur air.
Droch-bhearta toghacháin do chosc.
25.—(1) Beidh feidhm ag Coda I, II, III, IV, agus VIII den Acht chun Droch-Bhearta Toghacháin do Chosc, 1923 (Uimh. 38 de 1923), maidir le toghacháin i dtoghdais ollscoile, agus chun na críche sin—
(a) déanfar an focal “Dáil-toghachán” do léiriú agus beidh éifeacht aige, i ngach áit ina bhfuil sé sna Coda san den Acht san, mar fhocal a fholuíonn toghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile;
(b) déanfar an focal “Dáil-toghthóir” do léiriú agus beidh éifeacht aige, i ngach áit ina bhfuil sé sna Coda san den Acht san, mar fhocal a fholuíonn toghthóir i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile;
(c) déanfar an focal “toghachán” do léiriú agus beidh éifeacht aige, i ngach áit ina bhfuil sé gan choinníoll sna Coda san den Acht san, mar fhocal a fholuíonn toghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile.
(2) I dteanta forálacha an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so agus gan dochar dóibh, beidh feidhm ag gach foráil reachtúil a bhaineann le breabaireacht, le pearsanáil, no le cleachtanna cuirpthe ag toghacháin chun comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann do thogha, beidh feidhm acu maidir le toghacháin i dtoghdais ollscoile fé is dá mba toghacháin chun comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann do thogha na toghacháin sin.
Achuingeacha toghacháin i dtaobh togachán i dtoghdais ollscoile.
26.—(1) Na hachtacháin a bhaineann le tíolacadh agus le triail achuingeacha toghacháin i dtaobh toghachán chun comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann do thogha beidh feidhm acu maidir le toghacháin i dtoghdais ollscoile ach san gus na hatharuithe is gá ortha.
(2) Ní déanfar, in aon imeachta dlí chun toghadh no tuairisciú aon iarrthóra i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile do dhíospóid, a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith a vótáil sa toghachán san a rá cé leis gur vótáil sé.
Rialacha d'fhágaint gan cólíonadh.
27.—Ní dearbhófar aon toghadh iarrthóra i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile do bheith gan bhrí de bhíthin na rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal no sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so d'fhágaint gan cólíonadh ná de bhíthin aon dearmhaid in úsáid na bhfuirmeacha bheidh orduithe fén Acht so agus dá bhíthin sin amháin, má chítear don bhínse 'na mbeidh an cheist os a chóir gur stiúradh an toghachán do réir na bpríonsiobal atá leagtha amach i gcorp an Achta so, agus ná dearna an nea-chólíonadh no an dearmhad san deifir do thoradh an toghacháin.
Seirbhísí puist in aisce.
28.—Na seirbhísí puist go léir (ar a n-áirmhítear seirbhísí clárathachta) a déanfar ar fad laistigh d'Éirinn maidir le páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán i dtoghdas ollscoile do thabhairt amach agus do chur thar n-ais, déanfaidh an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa iad gan na héilithe ar a son do roimh-íoc leis agus tuigfear gur cuid de chostaisí an chinn chomhrimh sa toghachán san gach éileamh den tsórt san agus íocfar iad dá réir sin.
CUID IV.
Ilghneitheach.
Eirghe as comhaltas Sheanad Éireann.
29.—(1) Féadfaidh comhalta de Sheanad Éireann do thoghdas ollscoile eirghe as bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann dá dheoin féin tré fhógra i scríbhinn do thabhairt do Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann agus craolfaidh seisean an t-eirghe as san do Sheanad Éireann ag an gcéad chruinniú eile bheidh acu.
(2) Má eiríonn comhalta do Sheanad Éireann as fén alt so beidh éifeacht ag an eirghe as san díreach ar Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann do chraoladh an chéanna do réir an ailt seo.
Srian maidir le hiarrthóirí i dtoghacháin chorra Seanaid.
30.—Ní bheidh aon chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, faid a leanfaidh de bheith ina chomhalta amhlaidh, ina iarrthóir i dtoghachán corra Seanaid.
Duine do thogha do dhá thoghdas ollscoile.
31.—Pé uair a déanfar in olltoghachán Seanaid, duine do thogha mar chomhalta do Sheanad Éireann do dhá thoghdas ollscoile, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh an duine sin, tré scríbhinn fé n-a láimh a seachadfar do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann roimh a shuidheachán do thógaint do cheachtar do sna toghdais sin, a dhearbhú ce'ca de sna toghdais sin go mbeidh sé ina ionadaí dhó i Seanad Éireann;
(b) mara ndeinidh an duine sin, laistigh de mhí tar éis an chéad chruinnithe bheidh ag Seanad Éireann tar éis an olltoghacháin Seanaid sin, an dearbhú san a luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do sheachadadh do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann do réir na míre sin, tuigfear an duine sin do dhearbhú i ndeireadh an mhí sin gurb é toghdas go mbeadh sé ina ionadaí dhó i Seanad Éireann ná an ceann san de sna toghdais sin ina bhfuair sé an uimhir is mó de chéad-roghna san olltoghachán Seanaid sin;
(c) chó luath agus a dhearbhóidh an duine sin no tuigfear é do dhearbhú ce'ca de sna toghdais sin go mbeidh sé ina ionadaí dhó i Seanad Éireann, tuigfear é d'eirighe as a shuidheachán i Seanad Éireann mar chomhalta den chéanna don cheann eile de sna toghdais sin.
Duine do thoghadh mar chomhalta ollscoile agus mar chomhalta ainmliosta.
32.—Pé uair a thárlóidh, in olltoghachán do chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann, go dtoghfar duine mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann do thoghdas ollscoile (dá ngairmtear comhalta ollscoile san alt so) agus freisin mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann ar n-a thoghadh o ainmliost d'iarrthóirí a bheidh có-dhéanta do réir ailt 7 d'Airtiogal 18 den Bhunreacht (dá ngairmtear comhalta ainmliosta san alt so), beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh an duine sin, tré scríbhinn fé n-a láimh a seachadfar do Chléireach Dháil Éireann roimh a shuidheachán do thógaint i gceachtar feadhmannas, a dhearbú ce'ca mar chomhalta ollscoile no mar chomhalta ainmliosta shuidhfe sé i Seanad Éireann;
(b) mara ndeinidh an duine sin, laistigh de mhí tar éis an chéad chruinnithe bheidh ag Seanad Éireann tar éis an olltoghacháin sin, an dearbhú san a luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do sheachadadh do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann do réir na míre sin, tuigfear an duine sin do dhearbhú i ndeireadh an mhí sin go suidhfe sé i Seanad Éireann mar chomhalta ollscoile;
(c) chó luath agus a dhearbhóidh an duine sin no a tuigfear é do dhearbhú ce'ca de sna feadhmannaisí sin ina suidhfe sé i Seanad Éireann, tuigfear é d'eirighe as a shuidheachán i Seanad Éireann mar chomhalta den chéanna sa bhfeadhmannas eile acu san.
CEAD SCEIDEAL.
Rialacha Clarathachta.
1. Sa Sceideal so—
cialluíonn an abairt “oifigeach clárathachta” an t-oifigeach clárathachta do thoghdas ollscoile.
2. An 29adh lá d'Eanar gach bliain, foillseoidh gach oifigeach clárathachta liost (dá ngairmtear an liost de thoghthóirí sna rialacha so) sa bhfuirm orduithe de sna daoine uile chífear dó bheith i dteideal iad do chlárú sa chlár de thoghthóirí dá thoghdas.
3. Einne ná beidh iontrálta i liost de thoghthóirí do thoghdas ollscoile agus adeir go bhfuil sé i dteideal é chlárú mar thoghthóir sa toghdas ollscoile sin, féadfaidh, ar an 26adh lá no roimh an 26adh lá d'Fheabhra tar éis an liosta san de thoghthóirí d'fhoillsiú, éileamh sa bhfuirm orduithe, á éileamh é chlárú amhlaidh, do chur chun an oifigigh chlárathachta don toghdas san.
4. An fhuirm orduithe éilimh dá dtagartar sa riail deiridh sin roimhe seo beidh sí de shaghas a chuirfidh ar chumas an té bheidh á líonadh na nithe seo leanas a luadh inti—
(a) na mion-innste sin (ar a n-áirmhítear dáta a bheireatais) is gá chun a thaisbeáint é bheith i dteideal bheith ina thoghthóir sa toghdas le n-a mbainfidh an t-éileamh san, agus
(b) an seoladh ag á raibh sé ina ghnáth-chomhnaí an 15adh lá de Mhí na Samhna díreach roimhe sin, agus
(c) más mian leis é, seoladh eile mar sheoladh gur chuige a cuirfear a pháipéirí ballóide.
5. Ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 12adh lá de Mhárta gach bliain ullamhóidh agus foillseoidh gach oifigeach clárathachta liost d'éilimh sa bhfuirm orduithe agus cuirfidh sa liost san ainm gach duine a chuir fuirm orduithe éilimh chuige, an 26adh lá d'Fheabhra no roimhe sin, agus í líonta go ceart agus go dóthanach.
6. Einne bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do thoghdas ollscoile, féadfaidh cur i gcoinnibh duine ar bith go mbeidh a ainm i liost de thoghthóirí no i liost d'éilimh alos an toghdais sin do chlárú ar an rolla san; déanfar gach agóid den tsórt san tré fhógra agóide sa bhfuirm orduithe do chur chun an oifigigh chlárathachta ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 26adh lá de Mhárta díreach tar éis an liosta de thoghthóirí no an liosta d'éilimh (pe'ca aca é) le n-a mbainfidh an agóid sin d'fhoillsiú.
7. Ní breithneofar agóid fén riail deiridh sin roimhe seo mara ndeinidh an t-agóideach, laistigh den am atá leagtha amach chun an fhógra agóide do chur isteach, cóip den fhógra agóide cuireadh chun an oifigigh chlárathachta do chur tríd an bpost chláruithe roimh-íoctha chun an duine go mbeifear ag cur i gcoinnibh a chláruithe ag á sheoladh mar a bheidh san luaidhte sa liost de thoghthóirí no sa liost d'éilimh, pe'ca aca é.
8. Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an 26adh lá de Mhárta gach bliain, ullamhóidh agus foillseoidh gach oifigeach clárathachta liost de sna daoine bheidh ainmnithe sa liost de thoghthóirí no sa liost d'éilimh agus go mbeidh fógra agóide i gcoinnibh a gcláruithe faighte ag an oifigeach clárathachta san an 26adh lá san de Mhárta no roimhe sin.
9. Déanfaidh gach oifigeach clárathachta, chó luath agus is féidir é, na hagóidí uile gur tugadh fógra dhó ina dtaobh do réir na rialacha so do bhreithniú agus breith do thabhairt ortha agus, chun na críche sin, déanfaidh, alos gach agóide den tsórt san, fógra cúig lá glan ar a laighead, i dtaobh an ama agus na háite ina mbreithneoidh sé an agóid sin agus ina dtabharfa sé breith uirthi, do thabhairt don agóideach agus don duine go mbeifear ag cur i gcoinnibh a chláruithe leis an agóid sin.
10. Déanfaidh gach oifigeach clárathachta freisin, chó luath agus is féidir é, gach éileamh a bheidh luaidhte sa liost d'éilimh, agus nár tugadh aon fhógra agóide ina thaobh do réir na rialacha so, do bhreithniú agus,
(a) más dóich leis gur féidir an t-éileamh san do lomháil gan a thuilleadh fiosruithe, lomhálfa sé an t-éileamh san agus bhéarfaidh fógra ina thaobh san don éilitheoir, no
(b) maran deimhin leis gur féidir an t-éileamh san do lomháil gan a thuilleadh fiosruithe, bhéarfaidh fógra cúig lá glan ar a laighead don éilitheoir i dtaobh an ama agus na háite ina mbreithneoidh sé an t-éileamh san agus ina dtabharfaidh breith air.
11. Féadfaidh oifigeach clárathachta pé fiosruithe eile is dóich leis is gá do dhéanamh alos aon éilimh a bheidh luaidhte i liost d'éilimh agus má chítear dó, tar éis an fhiosruithe sin do dhéanamh, ná fuil an t-éilitheoir i dteideal é chlárú, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta féin, aon tráth, cur i gcoinnibh an éilimh sin tré fhógra agóide ina luadhfaidh foras na hagóide do chur chun an éilitheora.
Gach agóid a dhéanfaidh oifigeach clárathachta fén riail seo breithneoidh sé í agus bhéarfaidh breith uirthi, agus chun na críche sin bhéarfaidh fógra cúig lá glan ar a laighead don éilitheoir i dtaobh an ama agus na háite ina mbreithneoidh sé an t-éileamh san agus ina dtabharfa sé breith air amhlaidh.
12. Einne bheidh cláruithe mar thoghthóir ar rolla de thoghthóirí agus adéarfaidh go bhfuil sé iontrálta i slí nea-chruinn ar an rolla san no go bhfuil mion-innste nea-chruinne curtha síos ann ina thaobh, féadfaidh, an 26adh lá d'Fheabra no roimhe sin, fógra sa bhfuirm orduithe do chur chun an oifigigh chlárathachta á rá go bhfuil sé iontrálta go nea-chruinn amhlaidh agus ag luadh na n-atharuithe adeir sé is gá chun an rolla san do dhéanamh cruinn maidir leis-sean agus á éileamh go n-atharófaí an rolla dá réir sin.
Ní cuirfear aon éileamh a déanfar fén riail seo sa liost d'éilimh.
13. Breithneoidh gach oifigeach clárathachta, chó luath agus is féidir é, gach éileamh a déanfar fén riail deiridh sin roimhe seo agus,
(a) más dóich leis gur féidir an t-éileamh san do lomháil gan a thuilleadh fiosruithe, lomhálfa sé an t-éileamh san agus bhéarfaidh fógra ina thaobh san don éilitheoir, no
(b) maran deimhin leis gur féidir an t-éileamh san do lomháil gan a thuilleadh fiosruithe, bhéarfaidh fógra cúig lá glan ar a laighead don éilitheoir i dtaobh an ama agus na háite ina mbreithneoidh sé an t-éileamh san agus ina dtabharfaidh breith air.
14. Déanfaidh gach oifigeach clárathachta, ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 31adh lá de Bhealtaine gach bliain, an rolla de thoghthóirí dá thoghdas d'athscrúdú tré sna nithe seo leanas do dhéanamh maidir leis an rolla san, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ainmneacha agus seolta na ndaoine uile bhí iontrálta sa liost de thoghthóirí do foillsíodh an 29adh lá den Eanar roimhe sin agus ná dearnadh agóid gur eirigh léi i gcoinnibh a gclárathachta do chur ar an rolla san, maraon le hainmneacha agus seolta na ndaoine uile adubhairt go rabhdar i dteideal iad do chlárú ar an rolla san agus gur lomháil an t-oifigeach clárathachta san a n-éileamh chun iad do chlárú amhlaidh, agus
(b) gach ceartúchán, den tsórt san is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt do gach éileamh ar cheartúcháin do lomháil an t-oifigeach clárathachta san, do dhéanamh ar an rolla san, agus
(c) ainmneacha na ndaoine uile do fágadh ar lár sa liost san de thoghthóirí toisc iad do bheith marbh do bhaint den rolla san.
15. Nuair a bheidh an t-athscrúdú ar an rolla de thoghthóirí dá thoghdas críochnuithe ag oifigeach clárathachta do réir na rialach deiridh sin roimhe seo, déanfaidh na nithe seo leanas maidir leis an rolla san mar do hathscrúduíodh amhlaidh é (dá ngairmtear an rolla athscrúduithe sa riail seo), sé sin le rá:—
(a) an rolla athscrúduithe sin d'fhoillsiú ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 1adh lá de Mheitheamh tré fhógra d'fhoillsiú á rá go bhfuil cóip den rolla athscrúduithe sin ar nochtadh chun a iniúchta ina oifig, agus
(b) cóip amháin ar a laighead den rolla athscrúduithe sin do choimeád ar fáil ina oifig i gcóir iniúchta, agus
(c) leigint d'éinne cóip den rolla athscrúduithe sin d'iniúchadh in aisce ina oifig le linn tráthanna oifige, agus
(d) ar n-a iarraidh sin air d'éinne le linn tráthanna oifige agus ar an táille orduithe d'íoc, cóip den rolla athscrúduithe sin no den chuid sin de is abhar don iarratas san do thabhairt don duine sin, agus
(e) cóip den rolla athscrúduithe sin do chur chun an Aire chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an rolla san d'fhoillsiú, agus
(f) pé uair a iarrfaidh an tAire san air, achmaireacht ar a mbeidh sa rolla athscrúduithe sin do chur chun an Aire agus í sa bhfuirm sin agus na mion-innste sin inti luadhfa sé san iarratas san.
16. Duine gur mian leis athchomharc do dhéanamh i gcoinnibh breithe oifigigh chlárathachta caithfe sé fógra athchomhairc do thabhairt sa bhfuirm orduithe don oifigeach chlárathachta san agus don pháirtí ar an taobh eile (más ann dó) nuair a bhéarfar an bhreith sin no laistigh de chúig lá ina dhiaidh sin.
Déanfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta gach fógra athchomhaire den tsórt san a bhéarfar dó amhlaidh do chur chun an chlárathóra chontae do chontae-bhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath sa tslí bheidh orduithe le rialacha cúirte maraon le ráiteas, i ngach cás, i dtaobh na bhfíoraisí táchtacha a cruthuíodh, dar leis an oifigeach clárathachta san, sa chás agus i dtaobh a bhreithe ar an gcás go léir agus ar aon phuinte luadhfar mar fhoras athchomhairc.
Bhéarfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta don chúirt éistfidh aon athchomharc den tsórt san pé eolas eile bheidh aige no ar fáil aige agus a éileoidh an chúirt sin.
17. Má chítear d'oifigeach chlárathachta aon dá fhógra athchomhairc no níos mó i gcoinnibh a bhreitheanna do bheith bunuithe ar fhorais den tsaghas chéanna, cuirfe sé an méid sin in úil don chlárathóir chontae do chontae-bhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath chun a chur ar chumas an bhreithimh a éistfidh na hathchomhairc sin (más oiriúnach leis é) na hathchomhairc sin do chó-dhlúthú no athchomharc amháin acu san do thogha chun bheith ina chás tástála.
18. Einne bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de thoghthóirí do thoghdas ollscoile féadfaidh, tráth ar bith, aon atharú ar sheoladh an duine sin (pe'ca ar an seoladh ag á mbíonn sé ina ghnáthchomhnaí no ar an seoladh gur chuige a cuirfear a pháipéirí ballóide é) do chur in úil don oifigeach chlárathachta don toghdas san agus leis sin leasóidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta san an rolla san de thoghthóirí tríd an atharú seolta san d'iontráil ann.
19. Pé uair a thiocfa sé chun eolais don oifigeach chlárathachta do thoghdas ollscoile duine bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghdas san do bheith marbh nótóidh sé an méid sin agus, nuair a bheidh an chéad athscrúdú bliantúil eile á dhéanamh ar an rolla san do réir an Achta so, fágfaidh ainm an duine sin ar lár sa liost de thoghthóirí.
20. Roimh éinne do chlárú sa chlár de thoghthóirí do thoghdas ollscoile, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta don toghdas san, más dóich leis gur gá é—
(a) a cheangal ar an duine sin deimhniú ar a bheireatas do thaisbeáint no, maran féidir no mara mbeidh sé caothúil déanamh amhlaidh, dearbhú reachtúil do dhéanamh go bhfuil bliain is fiche slán aige, agus
(b) a cheangal ar an duine sin dearbhú reachtúil a dhéanamh gur saoránach d'Éirinn é no deimhniú ar a eadóirseacht mar shaoránach d'Éirinn do thaisbeáint, fé mar is gá sa chás.
Má ceangailtear ar dhuine fén riail seo dearbhú reachtúil a dhéanamh, íocfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta, mar chuid dá chostaisí clárathachta, aon táille is iníoctha maidir leis an dearbhú reachtúil sin agus beidh an dearbhú saor o dhiúité stampa.
21. Má ceangailtear ar oifigeach chlárathachta leis na rialacha so aon scríbhinn d'fhoillsiú agus ná beidh aon tsocrú áirithe déanta i dtaobh slí a foillsithe, foillseoidh an t-oifigeach clárathacha san an scríbhinn sin tré chóipeanna dhi do chur ar fáil chun a n-iniúchta ina oifig i rith tráthanna oifige agus tré fhógra, ina luadhfar na tráthanna inar féidir an scríbhinn sin d'iniúchadh ina oifig, do phostáil in áit éigin so-fheicse ar an taobh amuich dá oifig.
22. Ar n-a iarraidh sin air do dhuine ar bith, bhéarfaidh gach oifigeach clárathachta don duine sin in aisce an méid sin d'fhuirmeacha éilimh agus d'fhuirmeacha fógra agóide theastóidh uaidh do réir réasúin.
Ar n-a iarraidh sin air do dhuine ar bith, déanfaidh gach oifigeach clárathachta, freisin, leigint don duine sin aon éileamh no fógra agóide do gheobhaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta san fé sna rialacha so d'iniúchadh agus cóipeanna do dhéanamh de agus déanfaidh, freisin, ar an táille orduithe d'íoc, cóip d'aon éileamh no d'aon fhógra agóide den tsórt san do thabhairt don duine sin.
23. Aon éileamh, fógra agóide, no scríbhinn eile bheidh le cur chun oifigigh chlárathachta fé sna rialacha so, féadfar é chur chuige tríd an bpost roimh-íoctha agus é dírithe chuige fé sheoladh a oifige.
Aon fhógra ceangailtear ar oifigeach chlárathachta, leis na rialacha so, a chur chun duine ar bith, is leor é chur tríd an bpost agus é dírithe chun an duine sin ag an seoladh thug sé uaidh chuige sin no, más toghthóir cláruithe é, ag á sheoladh mar a bheidh sé luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí no, i gcás gan ceachtar de sna seolta san a bheith ar fáil, ag an áit chomhnaithe is déanaí is eol do bheith aige.
24. Ar aon éileamh no agóid no ní eile do bheith á bhreithniú ag oifigeach clárathachta do réir na rialacha so féadfaidh éinne, go bhfeicfear don oifigeach clárathachta leas do bheith aige sa scéal, teacht i láthair agus éisteacht d'fháil i bpearsain no tré dhuine éigin eile thar a cheann (nach abhcóide).
25. Ar aon éileamh no agóid no ní eile do bheith á bhreithniú ag oifigeach clárathachta do réir na rialacha so, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach clárathachta san, ar n-a iarraidh san air d'éinne ag á mbeidh leas sa scéal no, más oiriúnach leis é, gan an t-iarratas san, a chur mar cheangal gur fé mhionn a bhéarfar an fhianaise thairgfidh aon duine áirithe agus chuige sin féadfaidh an duine sin do chur fé mhionn.
26. Má tugtar ainm nea-cheart no tuairisc nea-chruinn ar dhuine no ar áit ar bith in aon liost no i gclár de thoghthóirí no in aon fhógra ní dhéanfaidh san dochar d'oibriú an Achta so ná na rialacha so maidir leis an duine no an áit sin má bhíonn an duine no an áit sin ainmnithe agus tuairiscithe ar shlí ina n-aithneofar go coitianta cé hé an duine no cadé an áit a bheidh i gceist.
DARA SCEIDEAL.
Toghachain do Stiuradh.
1. An lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh, sa tslí a horduítear sna rialacháin seo leanas, páipéar ballóide do thabhairt amach do gach toghthóir a bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghdas.
2. Beidh gach iarrthóir agus a ghníomhaire i dteideal bheith i láthair le linn na páipéirí ballóide bheith á dtabhairt amach agus, ar n-a iarraidh san air d'aon iarrthóir no gníomhaire den tsórt san, cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh in úil dó cathain a bhéarfar agus cá háit ina dtabharfar na páipéirí ballóide sin amach.
3. Ní bheidh éinne i láthair le linn páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach ach an ceann comhrimh agus a chongantóirí, an méid sin de sna hiarrthóirí agus dá ngníomhairí a thogróidh bheith i láthair, agus pé daoine eile (más ann dóibh) dá gceadóidh an ceann comhrimh bheith i láthair amhlaidh.
4. Bhéarfaidh an ceann comhrimh gach páipéar ballóide amach tré sna nithe seo leanas a dhéanamh no a chur fé ndeár iad do dhéanamh san ord so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) glaofar amach uimhir, ainm, agus tuairisc an toghthóra chun a mbeidh an páipéar ballóide le tabhairt amach fé mar a bheidh san luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí;
(b) marcálfar uimhir sin an toghthóra ar chó-dhuille an pháipéir bhallóide;
(c) cuirfear mare ar chóip den rolla de thoghthóirí, os coinne uimhreach an toghthóra air, chun a thaisbeáint gur tugadh amach páipéar ballóide don toghthóir sin gan a nochtadh cadé an páipéar ballóide é;
(d) marcálfar an páipéar ballóide ar a dhá thaobh leis an mare oifigiúil;
(e) déanfar an uimhir a bheidh ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide do mharcáil ar fhuirm dhearbhuithe chéannachta agus ar chlúdach pháipéir bhallóide;
(f) cuirfear i gclúdach (dá ngairmtear an forchlúdach anso feasta) a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe agus a bheidh dírithe chun an toghthóra ag an seoladh bheidh luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí mar an seoladh gur chuige a cuirfear a pháipéirí ballóide no, mara mbeidh aon tseoladh den tsórt san luaidhte amhlaidh, ag seoladh a ghnáth-áite comhnaithe mar a bheidh sé luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí na scríbhinní seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(i) an páipéar ballóide sin, agus
(ii) an fhuirm dhearbhuithe chéannachta san, agus
(iii) clúdach (dá ngairmtear an clúdach clúdacháin anso feasta) sa bhfuirm orduithe agus é dírithe chun an chinn chomhrimh, agus
(iv) clúdach is lugha ná san (dá ngairmtear clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide anso feasta) sa bhfuirm orduithe agus é marcálta, mar a horduítear anso roimhe seo, leis an uimhir a bheidh ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide sin;
(g) dúnfar an forchlúdach go héifeachtúil;
(h) nuair a bheidh na forálacha san roimhe seo den riail seo cólíonta maidir le gach páipéar ballóide a bheidh le tabhairt amach, baileofar, comhreofar, agus postálfar na forchlúdaigh dhúnta san go léir.
5. Postálfaidh an ceann comhrimh na forchlúdaigh dhúnta san tré sna forchlúdaigh sin do sheachadadh don cheann-oifig phuist is goire dhó, no do pé oifig eile ar a socrófar leis an gceann-mháistir puist, agus stampálfaidh an máistir puist san oifig sin, leis an dátstampa post-oifige, fuirm admhála a thíolacfaidh an ceann comhrimh agus ina mbeidh an méid forchlúdach do seachadadh amhlaidh luaidhte, agus cuirfe sé na forchlúdaigh sin ar aghaidh láithreach tríd an bpost cláruithe chun a seachadtha do sna daoine go mbeidh a seolta ortha.
6. Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tabhairt-amach na bpáipéirí ballóide do bheith críochnuithe agus i bhfianaise an mhéide sin de sna hiarrthóirí agus dá ngníomhairí bheidh i láthair déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh pacáidí ar leithligh den chóip mharcálta den rolla de thoghthóirí agus de chó-dhuillí na bpáipéirí ballóide, agus séalófar na pacáidí sin le n-a shéala féin agus le séalaí an mhéide sin de sna hiarrthóirí no de sna gníomhairí le n-ar mian a séalaí do chur ortha.
7. Cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh bosca ballóide ar fáil, chun na gclúdach clúdacháin do chur isteach ann nuair a chuirfidh na vótálaithe thar n-ais iad, agus ar thabhairt-amach na bpáipéirí ballóide do bheith críochnuithe taisbeánfaidh an ceann comhrimh an bosca ballóide sin, ar oscailt agus folamh, do sna hiarrthóirí agus do sna gníomhairí (más ann dóibh) a bheidh i láthair, agus séalóidh sé an bosca ballóide sin le n-a shéala agus déanfa sé socrú chun an bhosca bhallóide sin do choimeád slán sábhálta.
8. Déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh láithreach gach clúdach clúdacháin a gheobha sé roimh an vótaíocht do chríochnú do chur isteach, gan oscailt, sa bhosca bhallóide agus déanfa sé gach clúdach clúdacháin a gheobha sé tar éis na vótaíochta do chríochnú do chur isteach, gan oscailt, i bpacáiste ar leithligh fé shéala agus déanfa sé freisin gach forchlúdach a cuirfear thar n-ais chuige mar rud nár seachadadh do chur isteach, gan oscailt, i bpacáiste ar leithligh fé shéala.
9. Trí lá ar a laighead roimh an vótaíocht do chríochnú cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh tríd an bpost, chun gníomhaire gach iarrthóra, fógra i scríbhinn i dtaobh an ama agus na háite ina n-osclóidh sé an bosca ballóide agus ina gcomhreoidh na vótanna.
10. Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis na vótaíochta do chríochnú osclóidh an ceann comhrimh an bosca ballóide agus comhreoidh na vótanna.
11. Ní bheidh éinne i láthair le linn an bhosca bhallóide d'oscailt ná le linn vótanna do chomhreamh ach an ceann comhrimh agus a chongantóirí, an méid sin de sna hiarrthóirí agus dá ngníomhairí thogróidh bheith i láthair agus pé daoine eile (más ann dóibh) dá gceadóidh an ceann comhrimh bheith i láthair.
12. Nuair a beifear tar éis an bosca ballóide d'oscailt déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh na nithe seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na clúdaigh chlúdacháin uile do thógaint amach as an mbosca ballóide agus iad do chomhreamh agus a líon do nótú;
(b) gach clúdach clúdacháin acu san d'oscailt agus an dearbhú céannachta ann do scrúdú agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú san do chur i gcompráid leis an uimhir ar chlúdach an pháipéir bhallóide sa chlúdach chlúdacháin sin;
(c) más mar a chéile na huimhreacha san agus go bhfaighfear an dearbhú céannachta do bheith críochnuithe agus déanta go cuibhe, cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh an dearbhú céannachta agus clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide i gcoimeádáin ar leithligh;
(d) maran deimhin leis an gceann comhrimh an dearbhú céannachta do bheith críochnuithe agus déanta go cuibhe cúl-scríobhfaidh “diúltuíodh don vóta” ar an dearbhú céannachta agus ceanglóidh sé clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide dhe gan an clúdach san d'oscailt no, mara mbeidh aon chlúdach den tsórt san ann, ceanglóidh sé an páipéar ballóide dhe;
(e) má fhaghann an ceann comhrimh nach mar a chéile an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta agus an uimhir ar chlúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, no mara mbeidh aon uimhir ar an gclúdach, osclóidh sé an clúdach agus, más mar a chéile an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta, cuirfe sé an páipéar ballóide sa choimeádán speisialta bheidh curtha ar fáil aige i gcóir páipéirí ballóide;
(f) maran mar a chéile an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta, cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh an páipéar ballóide thar n-ais ina chlúdach, más ann dó, ceanglóidh sé an clúdach no an páipéar ballóide sin (pe'ca aca é) den dearbhú chéannachta, agus cúl-scríobhfaidh “diúltuíodh don vóta” ar an dearbhú céannachta;
(g) má dheallruíonn sé ná fuil dearbhú céannachta i dteanta clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, osclóidh an ceann comhrimh clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, agus má faightear an dearbhú céannachta do bheith ann deighleálfa sé leis an dearbhú agus leis an bpáipéar ballóide sin do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den riail seo;
(h) marcálfa sé an focal “diúltuithe” ar gach dearbhú céannachta ná beidh páipéar ballóide ina theanta agus ar gach páipéar ballóide ná beidh dearbhú céannachta ina theanta.
13. Más in éineacht a gheobhfar páipéar ballóide agus dearbhú céannachta agus gur mar a chéile na huimhreacha ortha, ní diúltófar don pháipéar bhallóide mara mbeidh de chúis leis sin ach go raibh an páipéar ballóide agus an dearbhú céannachta no aon cheann acu gan bheith sna clúdaigh chearta no sa chlúdach cheart no go raibh aon chlúdach den tsórt san gan bheith daingnithe.
14. Taisbeánfaidh an ceann comhrimh do sna hiarrthóirí agus do sna gníomhairí bheidh i láthair aon dearbhú céannachta go mbeidh sé chun diúltú dhó ar an scór nár críochnuíodh agus ná dearnadh sa cheart é agus má chuireann aon iarrthóir no gníomhaire acu san i gcoinnibh na breithe sin uaidh cuirfe sé leis an gcúl-scríbhinn na focail “cuireadh i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe”.
15. Déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh na dearbhuithe uile dá ndiúltófar, maraon leis na clúdaigh no leis na páipéirí ballóide, pe'ca aca é, a bheidh ceangailte dhíobh, do choimeád ar deighilt o scríbhinní eile.
16. Nuair a beifear tar éis na gclúdach clúdacháin uile sa bhosca bhallóide d'oscailt agus a bheidh deighleálta fé sna rialacha san roimhe seo le n-a mbeidh ionta, osclóidh an ceann comhrimh gach clúdach páipéir bhallóide ná beidh oscailte agus cuirfidh an uimhir ar an gclúdach i gcompráid leis an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus más mar a chéile na huimhreacha cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide isteach sa ghabhadán speisialta bheidh curtha ar fáil aige i gcóir páipéirí ballóide ach maran mar a chéile na huimhreacha marcálfaidh “diúltuithe” ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus ceanglóidh den chlúdach é.
17. Chó luath agus a bheidh an ceann comhrimh tar éis na bpáipéirí ballóide uile do chur isteach sa ghabhadán speisialta san cuirfe sé isteach i bpacáidí ar leithligh fé shéala (1) na dearbhuithe céannachta bhí i dteanta aon pháipéirí ballóide le n-ar glacadh go cuibhe; (2) aon dearbhuithe céannachta dar diúltuíodh; agus (3) aon pháipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh agus, sa dá chás deiridh sin, beidh ina dteanta na clúdaigh (más ann dóibh) a bheidh ceangailte dhíobh.
18. Nuair a bheidh na rialacha san roimhe seo cólíonta ag an gceann comhrimh meascfa sé go maith ar a chéile na páipéirí ballóide a bheidh sa ghabhadán speisialta san agus ansan tógfa sé na páipéirí ballóide sin amach as an ngabhadán speisialta san, comhreoidh sé iad agus nótóidh a líon agus ansan comhreoidh sé, do réir na rialacha atá sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, na vótanna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide sin.
19. Cúl-scríobhfaidh an ceann comhrimh “diúltuithe” ar aon pháipéar ballóide dá ndiúltóidh sé mar pháipéar gan bhrí agus má chuireann aon iarrthóir no gníomhaire i gcoinnibh na breithe sin uaidh le n-ar dhiúltuigh sé don pháipéar bhallóide cuirfe sé leis an gcúl-scríbhinn sin “cuireadh i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe”.
20. Sa mhéid gur féidir é déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh na himeachta fén Sceideal so tar éis an bhosca bhallóide d'oscailt agus fós comhreamh na vótanna do choimeád ar siúl gan sos ach féadfaidh, tráth ar bith, na himeachta no an comhreamh san do chur ar fiunraoi go ceann pé tréimhse is ceart, dar leis, chun bia no deoch do thógaint no i gcóir na hoíche no mar gheall ar aon réasúin eile is leor, dar leis, agus pé uair a chuirfe sé na himeachta san no an comhreamh san ar fiunraoi amhlaidh glacfaidh gach réamh-chúram is cóir chun na bpáipéirí ballóide, na gclúdach, na vótanna, agus na scríbhinní eile a bhaineann leis an toghachán do choimeád sábhálta.
21. Déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh agus gach éinne dá chongantóirí a thógfaidh páirt in aon cheann de sna himeachta fén Sceideal so no i gcomhreamh na vótanna agus gach iarrthóir agus gníomhaire bheidh i láthair le linn aon imeachta dhíobh san no le linn an chomhrimh sin geallúint sa bhfuirm orduithe do shighniú, sara dtógfaid páirt amhlaidh no sara mbeid i láthair amhlaidh, go gcoimeádfaid rún ar an vótáil.
22. Chó luath agus a bheidh comhreamh na vótanna críochnuithe ullamhóidh an ceann comhrimh i ndúbláid deimhniú, sa bhfuirm orduithe, ina luadhfar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí do toghadh, méid iomlán na vótanna do tugadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith (pe'ca toghadh é no nár toghadh), gach aistriú vótanna do rinneadh fén Acht so agus méid iomlán na vótanna do bhí curtha i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith i ndeireadh an chomhrimh ina ndearnadh gach aistriú fé leith den tsórt san, agus pé nithe eile a hordófar, agus sighneoidh an ceann comhrimh an deimhniú dúbláide sin ansan agus cuirfidh ceann de sna dúbláidí sin go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann agus (ach amháin i gcás an chéad olltoghacháin Seanaid) an ceann eile de sna dúbláidí sin go dtí Cléireach Sheanad Éireann.
I gcás gach deimhniú a hullamhófar fén riail seo maidir leis an gcéad olltoghachán Seanaid, déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh, tar éis dó dúbláid amháin den deimhniú san do chur go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann, an dúbláid eile den deimhniú san do choimeád agus cuirfidh an dúbláid eile sin go dtí Cléireach Sheanad Éireann no seachadfaidh dó é chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an Chléirigh sin do cheapadh.
23. Ullamhóidh an ceann comhrimh freisin agus foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil ráiteas sa bhfuirm orduithe ina luadhfar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí do toghadh agus an t-ord inar toghadh iad.
24. Ar chríochnú chomhreamh na vótanna dhó cuirfidh an ceann comhrimh isteach i bpacáidí ar leithligh fé shéala na páipéiri ballóide comhrithe agus na páipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh mar pháipéirí gan bhrí.
25. Coinneoidh an ceann comhrimh go ceann sé mhí tar éis na vótaíochta do chríochnú na pacáidí uile agus fé seach a bheidh fé shéala agus ina mbeidh an chóip mharcálta den rolla de thoghthóirí, có-dhuillí na bpáipéirí ballóide, na clúdaigh chlúdacháin do fuarthas tar éis na vótaíochta do chríochnú, na forchlúdaigh do cuireadh thar n-ais mar nithe nár seachadadh, na dearbhuithe céannachta le n-ar glacadh, na dearbhuithe céannachta dar diúltuíodh, na páipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh, na páipéirí ballóide comhrithe, agus na páipéirí ballóide gan bhrí, agus i gcionn na tréimhse sin de sé mhí dítheoidh sé na pacáidí séaluithe sin go léir mara mbeidh a mhalairt orduithe ag bínse toghacháin.
26. Ní leigfear do dhuine ar bith iniúchadh do dhéanamh ar aon cheann de sna pacáidí séaluithe sin a choinneoidh an ceann comhrimh ná ar éinní dá mbeidh ionta ach amháin fé ordú bhínse thoghacháin agus dá réir sin.
27. Féadfaidh bínse toghacháin a údarú do dhuine ar bith iniúchadh do dhéanamh ar a mbeidh in aon cheann de sna pacáidí séaluithe sin ar ar gá do réir chirt san a dhéanamh ach ar dhéanamh aon iniúchta den tsórt san bhéarfar aire ná déanfar an tslí in ar vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe d'fháil amach go dtí go mbeidh cruthuithe chun sástachta bhínse thoghacháin gur vótáil an toghthóir sin agus go mbeidh dearbhuithe ag an mbínse sin a vóta do bheith gan bhrí.
28. Cólíonfaidh an ceann coimhrimh gach ordú a dhéanfaidh bínse toghacháin i dtaobh na bpácáidí séaluithe sin d'iniúchadh agus do thabhairt i láthair agus i dtaobh cad déanfar leo.
29. Má orduíonn bínse toghacháin don cheann chomhrimh aon scríbhinn no pacáid scríbhinní ina sheilbh a bhaineann le toghachán áirithe do thabhairt i láthair agus má dheineann an ceann comhrimh an scríbhinn no an phacáid scríbhinní sin do thabhairt i láthair do réir an orduithe sin beidh an thabhairt-iláthair sin ina fianaise dho-chlaoite go mbaineann an scríbhinn no an phacáid scríbhinní sin leis an toghachán áirithe sin, agus an chúl-scríbhinn a bheidh curtha ag an gceann comhrimh do réir an Sceidil seo ar aon scríbhinn no pacáid scríbhinní den tsórt san beidh sí ina fianaise dho-chlaoite gurb é ní an scríbhinn no an phacáid sin ná an ní adeirtear sa chúl-scríbhinn sin iseadh í.
30. Má dheineann an ceann comhrimh páipéar ballóide do thabhairt i láthair a bhéarfaidh le tuisgint gur húsáideadh é in aon toghachán agus có-dhuille ar a mbeidh marcálta an uimhir chlóbhuailte chéanna agus ar a mbeidh uimhir marcálta i scríbhinn, beidh an thabhairt-i-láthair sin ina fianaise prima facie gurb éinne amháin an duine do vótáil leis an bpáipéar ballóide sin agus an duine gur mar a chéile a uimhir ar an rolla de thoghthóirí agus an uimhir a bheidh marcálta amhlaidh ar an gcó-dhuille sin.
31. Pé uair is gá don cheann chomhrimh, do réir an Sceidíl seo, aon scríbhinní do chur i bpacáid ar leithligh fé shéala cúl-scríobhfaidh ar an bpacáid sin ráiteas ina luadhfar líon agus cineál na scríbhinní sin agus an toghachán le n-a mbainid.
32. Sa Sceideal so cialluíonn an abairt “bínse toghacháin” cúirt ag á mbeidh údarás go dleathach chun deighleáil le hachuingeacha ag gearán mar gheall ar thuairisciú nea-chuibhe no ar thogha nea-chuibhe i dtoghachán Seanaid.
TRIU SCEIDEAL.
Comhreamh na Votanna.
1. (1) Nuair a bheidh na páipéirí ballóide measctha do réir na Rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh, tar éis diúltú d'aon chuid acu bheidh gan bhrí, a chur fé ndeár go ndéanfar beartanna de sna páipéirí ballóide do réir na gcéad-roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir.
(2) Déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh ansan an méid páipéirí bheidh i ngach beartán do chomhreamh, agus cuirfe sé i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith uimhir de vótanna is có-ionann leis an uimhir de pháipéirí dleathacha ar ar breacadh céad-rogha don iarrthóir sin, agus déanfa sé amach uimhir iomlán na bpáipéar dleathach uile.
2. Déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh ansan uimhir iomlán na bpáipéar dleathach uile do roinnt ar uimhir a bheidh aon thar uimhir na bhfolúntas a bheidh le líonadh. An uimhir a bheidh aon thar toradh na roinnte sin, gan aon iarmhar briste do bhac, isí sin an uimhir de vótanna is leor chun iarrthóir do thoghadh. An “quota” a bheirtear ar an uimhir sin anso.
3. Más ionann agus an quota, no más mó ná an quota, an uimhir de vótanna bheidh curtha i leith iarrthóra i ndeireadh aon chomhrimh, tuigfear an t-iarrthóir sin do bheith toghtha.
4. (1) Más mó ná an quota an uimhir de vótanna bheidh curtha i leith iarrthóra i ndeireadh aon chomhrimh aistreofar an barrachas do réir forálacha na Rialach so chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh no na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha taisbeántar ar na páipéirí ballóide i mbeartán no i bhfo-bheartán an iarrthóra thoghtha do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile a breacadh ortha.
(2) (a) Más bun-vótanna amháin na vótanna a cuireadh i leith iarrthóra thoghtha scrúdóidh an ceann comhrimh gach páipéar i mbeartán an iarrthóra thoghtha 'na mbeidh a bharrachas le n-aistriú agus déanfa sé fo-bheartáin de sna páipéirí ionaistrithe do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha.
(b) Más bun-vótanna agus vótanna aistrithe, no más vótanna aistrithe amháin, na vótanna bheidh curtha i leith iarrthóra thoghtha, scrúdóidh an ceann comhrimh na páipéirí bheidh sa bhfobheartán is déanaí do fuair an t-iarrthóir toghtha agus déanfa sé, de sna páipéirí ionaistrithe bheidh ann, tuilleadh fo-bheartáin do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile breacadh ortha.
(c) I gceachtar de sna cásanna dá dtagartar i míreanna (a) agus (b) den fho-alt so déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh fo-bheartán fé leith de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe, agus déanfa sé amach cadé an uimhir de pháipéirí atá i ngach fo-bheartán de pháipéirí ionaistrithe, agus sa bhfo-bheartán de pháipéirí neamhionaistrithe.
(3) Más ionann an barrachas agus uimhir iomlán na bpáipéar sna fo-bheartáin de pháipéirí ionaistrithe, no más mó ná san é, aistreoidh an ceann comhrimh gach fo-bheartán de pháipéirí ionaistrithe chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh a taisbeántar ortha mar chéad rogha infheadhma eile ag na vótálaithe:
Ach nuair is mó an barrachas ná an uimhir iomlán san déanfar fo-bheartán d'uimhir de pháipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe bheidh có-ionann leis an deifríocht a bheidh idir an uimhir iomlán san agus an barrachas agus cuirfear i leataoibh na páipéirí bheidh sa bhfo-bheartán san agus ní bacfar leo a thuilleadh agus chun crícheanna Rialach 22 atá sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so gairmfear páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe neamh-éifeachtúla dhíobh agus déanfar fo-bheartán, freisin, de sna páipéirí neamhionaistrithe bheidh fágtha, agus cuirfear iad le páipéirí an iarrthóra tuigfear a bheith toghtha.
(4) (a) Más lugha an barrachas ná an uimhir iomlán de pháipéirí ionaistrithe, aistreoidh an ceann comhrimh as gach fo-bheartán de pháipéirí ionaistrithe, chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh a taisbeántar ortha mar chéad rogha infheadhma eile ag na vótálaithe, an uimhir sin de pháipéirí go mbeidh idir í agus an uimhir de pháipéirí bheidh sa bhfo-bheartán an cothrom céanna bheidh idir an barrachas agus uimhir iomlán na bpáipéar ionaistrithe.
(b) Déanfar amach an uimhir de pháipéirí bheidh le n-aistriú as gach fo-bheartán fé leith tríd an uimhir de pháipéirí bheidh sa bhfo-bheartán d'iolrú fé uimhir an bharrachais agus an toradh do roinnt ar uimhir iomlán na bpáipéar ionaistrithe. Déanfar nóta de sna codáin, má bhíd ann, i ngach líon fé leith a déanfar amach alos gach iarrthóra fé leith.
(c) Má thagann as a leithéidí de chodáin do bheith ann gur lugha ná an barrachas an uimhir de pháipéirí bheidh le n-aistriú, tógfar do réir ord a méide, ón gceann is mó anuas, oiread de sna codáin sin agus is gá chun na huimhreach iomláine de pháipéirí bheidh le n-aistriú do dhéanamh có-ionann leis an mbarrachas, agus áirmheofar ina n-aon iad agus ní tabharfar áird ar an gcuid eile de sna codáin.
Más có-mhéid do dhá chodán no níos mó tuigfear gurb é an codán san eireoidh as an bhfo-bheartán is mó an codán is mó, agus más có-mhéid do sna fó-bheartáin sin, bhéarfar tosaíocht don iarrthóir a fuair an uimhir is mó de bhun-vótanna. Má bhíonn uimhreacha na mbun-vótanna san có-ionann, féachfar do sna huimhreacha iomlána de vótanna bhí curtha i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin sa chéad chomhreamh nár chó-ionann vótanna dhóibh, agus tuigfear gurb é an codán a bhí curtha i leith an iarrthóra ba mhó vótanna sa chomhreamh san an codán is mó. Má bhí na huimhreacha de vótanna bhí curtha i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin có-ionann i ngach comhreamh cinnfidh an ceann comhrimh le crannchur ce'ca codán a tuigfear is mó.
(d) Isiad páipéirí áirithe bheidh le n-aistriú as gach fo-bheartán fé leith ná na cinn is déanaí cuireadh sa bhfo-bheartán agus déanfar gach páipéar a haistreofar amhlaidh do mharcáil, do stampáil no do pholladh ar chuma thaisbeánfidh uimhir an chomhrimh ina ndearnadh an t-aistriú.
(5) Déanfar barrachas a eireoidh i ndeireadh comhrimh ar bith d'aistriú roimh bharrachas a eireoidh i gcomhreamh ina dhiaidh sin: Ach—
(a) ní fhágann san gur gá don cheann chomhrimh barrachas iarrthóra thoghtha d'aistriú nuair is lugha an barrachas san, maraon le haon bharrachas eile neamhaistrithe, ná an deifríocht a bheidh idir na huimhreacha de sna vótanna bheidh curtha i leith an dá iarrthóir leanúnacha is ísle;
(b) barrachas a bheidh có-ionann leis an deifríocht no níos mó ná an deifríocht a bheidh idir na huimhreacha de vótanna a bheidh curtha i leith an dá iarrthóir is ísle, aistreofar é roimh aon bharrachas is lugha ná an deifríocht san;
(c) má bhíonn dhá bharrachas no níos mó ann agus gach ceann acu níos lugha an deifríocht a bheidh idir na huimhreacha de vótanna bheidh curtha i leith an dá iarrthóir is ísle, isé an barrachas is mó dhíobh san is túisce a haistreofar agus san gan féachaint don chomhreamh as ar eirigh sé.
(6) Nuair eireoidh dhá bharrachas no níos mó as an aon chomhreamh amháin is leis an gceann is mó dhíobh is túisce deighleálfar agus deighleálfar leis na cinn eile do réir ord a méide.
(7) Más có-ionann barrachas do gach duine de dhá iarrthóir no níos mó agus san ag eirghe as an aon chomhreamh amháin féachfar don uimhir de bhun-vótanna fuair gach iarrthóir fé leith, agus is le barrachas an iarrthóra go mbeidh an uimhir is mó de bhunvótanna curtha ina leith is túisce deighleálfar.
Má bhíonn uimhreacha na mbun-vótanna san có-ionann, féachfar don uimhir iomlán de vótanna bhí curtha i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin sa chéad chomhreamh nár chó-ionann vótanna dhóibh, agus is le barrachas an iarrthóra go mbeidh an uimhir is mó de vótanna curtha ina leith sa chomhreamh san is túisce deighleálfar.
Má bhí na huimhreacha de vótanna bhí curtha i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin có-ionann i ngach comhreamh, cinfidh an ceann comhrimh le crannchur ce'ca barrachas díobh is túisce le n-a ndeighleálfa sé.
5. (1) Má ráiníonn aon uair gan barrachas do bheith ag iarrthóir ar bith (no nach gá agus ná déanfar, fén Riail deiridh sin roimhe seo, barrachas a bheidh ann d'aistriú) agus go mbeidh folúntas no folúntaisí gan líonadh, dúnfaidh an ceann comhrimh amach an t-iarrthóir go mbeidh an uimhir is lugha de vótanna curtha ina leith agus scrúdóidh páipéirí uile an iarrthóra san, agus déanfaidh fo-bheartáin de sna páipéirí ionaistrithe do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile breacadh ortha d'iarrthóirí leanúnacha, agus aistreoidh gach fo-bheartán fé leith chun an iarrthóra dar breacadh an rogha san, agus déanfaidh fo-bheartán fé leith de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe. Cuirfear na páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe i leataoibh mar pháipéirí go bhfuiltear réidh ar fad leo agus, chun crícheanna Rialach 22 sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, gairmfear páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe neamh-éifeachtúla dhíobh.
(2) Má bhíonn iomlán vótanna an dá iarrthóir no níos mó is ísle, maraon le haon bharrachas neamh-aistrithe, níos lugha ná an uimhir de vótanna bheidh curtha i leith an chéad iarrthóra eile is aoirde, féadfaidh an ceann comhrimh, d'aon iarracht amháin, na hiarrthóirí sin do dhúnadh amach agus a vótanna d'aistriú do réir míre (1) den Riail seo.
(3) Má ráiníonn, nuair is gá iarrthóir do dhúnadh amach fén Riail seo, go mbeidh an uimhir chéanna de vótanna ag gach duine fé leith de dhá iarrthóir no níos mó agus gurb iad is ísle, féachfar don uimhir de bhun-vótanna bheidh curtha i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith acu san, agus dúnfar amach an t-iarrthóir go mbeidh an uimhir is lugha de bhun-vótanna aige agus, má bhíonn uimhreacha na mbún-vótanna có-ionann, féachfar do sna huimhreacha iomlána de vótanna bhí curtha i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin sa chéad chomhreamh nár chó-ionann vótanna dhóibh agus dúnfar amach an t-iarrthóir ag á raibh an uimhir is lugha de vótanna sa chomhreamh san agus, má bhí na huimhreacha de vótanna bhí curtha i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin có-ionann i ngach comhreamh, cinnfidh an ceann comhrimh le crannchur ce'ca aca a dúnfar amach.
6. (1) Aon uair a déanfar aistriú ar bith fé aon Riail acu san roimhe seo, déanfar gach fo-bheartán de pháipéirí a haistreofar do chur ar bharr an bheartáin, má bhíonn ann, de pháipéirí a bheidh ag an iarrthóir chun a ndéanfar an t-aistriú, agus cuirfear i leith an iarrthóra san uimhir de vótanna bheidh có-ionann leis an uimhir de pháipéirí a haistreofar chuige.
(2) Má bhíonn barrachas ag iarrthóir tar éis aon aistrithe, deighleálfar leis an mbarrachas san do réir agus fé réim na bhforálacha atá i Riail 4 sara ndúnfar amach aon iarrthóir eile.
7. (1) Nuair is có-ionann an uimhir d'iarrthóirí leanúnacha agus an uimhir d'fholúntaisí a bheidh gan líonadh tuigfear leis sin na hiarrthóirí leanúnacha do bheith toghtha.
(2) Nuair ná beidh ach aon fholúntas amháin gan líonadh agus a bheidh vótanna aon iarrthóra leanúnaigh amháin éigin níos líonmhaire ná iomlán vótanna uile na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha eile, maraon le haon bharrachas neamh-aistrithe, tuigfear leis sin an t-iarrthóir sin do bheith toghtha.
(3) Nuair is féidir na folúntaisí deiridh do líonadh fén Riail seo, ní gá aon aistriú eile vótanna do dhéanamh.
8. (1) I ndeireadh aon chomhrimh féadfaidh aon iarrthóir no a ghníomhaire a iarraidh ar an gceann comhrimh gach ceann no aon cheann de sna páipéirí le n-ar deighleáladh le linn an chomhrimh sin d'ath-scrúdú agus d'ath-chomhreamh agus déanfaidh an ceann comhrimh dá réir sin na páipéirí do luadhadh d'ath-scrúdú agus d'ath-chomhreamh láithreach gan aon atharuithe do dhéanamh ar chóiriú na bpáipéar sna beartáin iomdha, ach amháin i gcás a leithéidí sin d'atharuithe do bheith riachtanach de dheascaibh aon earráide do nochtadh san athchomhreamh. Féadfaidh an ceann comhrimh freisin, más rogha leis é, páipéirí d'ath-comhreamh aon uair amháin no níos minicí in aon chás ná beidh sé sásta i dtaobh cruinnis aon chomhrimh áirithe: Ach ní chuirfidh éinní anso d'oblagáid ar an gceann comhrimh an t-aon bheartán amháin páipéar d'ath-chomhreamh níos mó ná aon uair amháin.
(2) Beidh ar chomhachta na Cúirte, i gcás achuinge toghacháin, comhacht chun a ordú go ndéanfar na páipéirí ballóide uile no aon chuid acu d'ath-chomhreamh, agus toradh an toghacháin d'fháil amach do réir na Rialacha so.
(3) In aon ath-chomhreamh den tsórt san, geobhaidh gach páipéar an cúrsa céanna do ghaibh sé sa chéad chomhreamh vótanna ach beidh san fé réir pé atharuithe is gá de bhíthin aon orduithe ón gCúirt.
9. (1) Má eiríonn aon cheist maidir le hiarrthóir ar bith do dhúnadh amach fé Riail 5 no maidir le haon vótanna d'aistriú, ní bheidh dul thar breith an chinn chomhrimh, pe'ca adéarfaidh í no is iontuigthe as a ghníomhartha í, mara ndeinidh aon iarrthóir no a ghníomhaire agóid i scríbhinn agus foraisí na hagóide ráite inti do thabhairt don cheann chomhrimh roimh thoradh na vótaíochta do dhearbhú, agus sa chás san féadfar breith an chinn chomhrimh do chlaochló ar achuinge thoghacháin.
(2) Má claochluítear amhlaidh aon bhreith dá dtabharfaidh an ceann comhrimh beidh an t-aistriú bheidh i gceist agus gach oibriú lean é gan bhrí agus féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú cadé an t-aistriú bheidh le déanamh in ionad an aistrithe bheidh i gceist, agus féadfaidh a chur fé ndeár go ndéanfar na hoibrithe bheidh le déanamh i ndiaidh an aistrithe agus go bhfaighfear amach toradh an toghacháin do réir na Rialacha so.
10. Sna Rialacha so—
(1) Cialluíonn an abairt “iarrthóir leanúnach” aon iarrthóir ná tuigfear a bheith toghtha agus ná beidh dúnta amach.
(2) Cialluíonn an focal “céad-rogha” an figiúir “1” ina aonar; cialluíonn an abairt “dara rogha” an figiúir “2” ina aonar i leanúntas an fhigiúra “1” agus cialluíonn an abairt “tríú rogha” an figiúir “3” ina aonar i leanúntas na bhfigiúirí “1” agus “2” os coinne ainme aon iarrthóra, agus mar sin de.
(3) Cialluíonn an abairt “an chéad rogha infheadhma eile” dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin ar n-a bhreacadh in ord uimhreach có-leantach d'iarrthóir leanúnach, gan áird do thabhairt ar an gcéad rogha eile do réir úird ar an bpáipéar ballóide d'iarrthóirí a tuigfear a bheith toghtha no bheidh dúnta amach cheana.
(4) Cialluíonn an abairt “páipéar ionaistrithe” páipéar ballóide ar a mbeidh, i ndiaidh céad-rogha, dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha in ord uimhreach có-leantach d'iarrthóir leanúnach.
(5) Cialluíonn an abairt “páipéar neamh-ionaistrithe” páipéar ballóide ná beidh aon dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha air d'iarrthóir leanúnach.
Ach tuigfear páipéar neamh-ionaistrithe do dhéanamh de pháipéar—
(a) má bhíonn ainmneacha dhá iarrthóir no níos mó (pe'ca iarrthóirí leanúnacha iad no nach eadh) marcálta leis an aon uimhir amháin agus gurb iad na céad iarrthóirí eile iad in ord rogha; no
(b) má bhíonn ainm an chéad iarrthóra eile in ord rogha (pe'ca iarrthóir leanúnach é no nach eadh) marcálta—
(i) le huimhir ná tagann in ord leanúnach i ndiaidh uimhreach éigin eile ar an bpáipéar ballóide; no
(ii) le dhá uimhir no níos mó; no
(c) má bhíonn sé gan bhrí toisc nea-chinnteachta.
(6) Cialluíonn an focal “bun-vóta,” maidir le haon iarrthóir, vóta o pháipéar bhallóide ar a mbeidh céad-rogha breactha don iarrthóir sin.
(7) Cialluíonn an abairt “vóta aistrithe,” maidir le haon iarrthóir, vóta o pháipéar bhallóide ar a mbeidh dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha don iarrthóir sin.
(8) Cialluíonn an focal “barrachas” an méid thar an quota a bheidh uimhir na vótanna uile, idir bhun-vótanna agus vótanna aistrithe, a bheidh curtha i leith aon iarrthóra.
(9) Cialluíonn an focal “comhreamh”—
(a) gach oibriú is gá do dhéanamh chun na gcéad-roghna bheidh breactha d'iarrthóirí do chomhreamh; no
(b) gach oibriú is gá do dhéanamh chun barrachais iarrthóra thoghtha d'aistriú; no
(c) gach oibriú is gá do dhéanamh chun vótanna iarrthóra bheidh dúnta amach d'aistriú.
(10) Cialluíonn an abairt “tuigfear a bheith toghtha” tuigfear a bheith toghtha chun críche comhreamh na vótanna ach beidh san gan dochar do thoradh na vótaíochta do dhearbhú.
(11) Cialluíonn an abairt “cinneadh le crannchur” cinneadh do réir na treorach so leanas:—Tar éis ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí le n-a mbainfidh do scríobhadh ar bhlúirí páipéir có-chosúla agus na blúirí sin d'fhilleadh i slí ná haithneofar thar a chéile iad agus iad do mheascadh agus do tharrac gan ordú gan eagar, déanfar an t-iarrthóir no na hiarrthóirí bheidh le dúnadh amach do dhúnadh amach san ord ina dtarraiceofar a n-ainmneacha agus, i gcásanna barrachaisí, déanfar na barrachaisí d'aistriú san ord ina dtarraiceofar na hainmneacha.
Number 30 of 1937.
SEANAD ELECTORAL (UNIVERSITY MEMBERS) ACT, 1937.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Constituencies, Franchise and Registration
Conduct of Elections
Election petitions in relation to elections in university constituencies. | |
Miscellaneous
Acts Referred to | |
No. 12 of 1923 | |
No. 38 of 1923 | |
Number 30 of 1937.
SEANAD ELECTORAL (UNIVERSITY MEMBERS) ACT, 1937.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act, 1937.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation immediately after the coming into operation of the Constitution of Ireland lately enacted by the People.
Definitions.
3.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Local Government and Public Health;
the expression “Seanad general election” means so much of a general election of members of Seanad Eireann held in pursuance of Article 18 of the Constitution as relates to the election of those members who are required by the said Article 18 to be elected by universities;
the expression “the first Seanad general election” means the first Seanad general election held after the commencement of this Act;
the expression “Seanad bye-election” means an election of a member of Seanad Eireann to fill the place of a member who was elected by a university and has vacated his seat by death, resignation, or disqualification;
the expression “Seanad election” includes both a Seanad general election and a Seanad bye-election;
the word “election” when used without qualification includes both a general election and a bye-election;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act.
Regulations.
4.—The Minister may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Expenses.
5.—All expenses incurred by the Minister in the execution of this Act shall, to such extent as shall be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II.
Constituencies, Franchise, and Registration.
Constituencies and electors.
6.—(1) At every Seanad election—
(a) the National University of Ireland shall be a constituency (in this Act referred to as the National University constituency) for the election of three members of Seanad Eireann, and
(b) the University of Dublin shall be a constituency (in this Act referred to as the Dublin University constituency) for the election of three members of Seanad Eireann, and
(c) every person who is for the time being registered as an elector in the register of electors for the National University constituency shall be entitled to vote in that constituency, and
(d) every person who is for the time being registered as an elector in the register of electors for the Dublin University constituency shall be entitled to vote in that constituency.
(2) No person shall be entitled to vote at an election in a university constituency unless he is registered as an elector in the register of electors for that constituency.
(3) Nothing in this section shall entitle any person to vote at an election in a university constituency while he is prohibited by law from so voting, nor shall anything in this section relieve any person from any penalties to which he may be liable for so voting.
(4) The National University constituency and the Dublin University constituency are in this Act referred to as university constituencies and the expression “university constituency” shall in this Act be construed accordingly.
Franchise.
7.—(1) Every person who is a citizen of Ireland and has received a degree (other than an honorary degree) in the National University of Ireland and has attained the age of twenty-one years shall be entitled to be registered as an elector in the register of electors for the National University constituency.
(2) Every person who is a citizen of Ireland and has received a degree (other than an honorary degree) in the University of Dublin or has obtained a foundation scholarship in that University or, if a woman, has obtained a non-foundation scholarship in the said University and (in any case) has attained the age of twenty-one years shall be entitled to be registered as an elector in the register of electors for the Dublin University constituency.
Registers of electors.
8.—(1) The governing body of every university which is a university constituency shall cause a register (in this Act referred to as a register of electors) to be kept in accordance with this Act of the persons who are for the time being entitled to be registered as electors in such constituency.
(2) Every register of electors kept under this Act in respect of a university constituency shall be in such form as the governing body of the university forming such constituency shall, with the sanction of the Minister, direct.
(3) The register of electors prepared and kept in pursuance of the Electoral Act, 1923 (No. 12 of 1923), which came into force on the 1st day of June, 1937, for the National University of Ireland constituency established by that Act shall, immediately upon the commencement of this Act, become and be the register of electors for the purposes of this Act of the National University constituency and shall thenceforth be kept in accordance with this Act by the governing body of the National University of Ireland.
(4) The register of electors prepared and kept in pursuance of the Electoral Act, 1923 (No. 12 of 1923), which came into force on the 1st day of June, 1937, for the Dublin University constituency established by that Act shall, immediately upon the commencement of this Act, become and be the register of electors for the purposes of this Act of the Dublin University constituency and shall thenceforth be kept in accordance with this Act by the governing body of Dublin University.
(5) No fee shall be charged by the governing body of a university in respect of the registration of any person in the register of electors for the university constituency consisting of such university.
Registration officers and annual revision of registers.
9.—(1) There shall be a registration officer for each of the university constituencies who shall be appointed and paid by the governing body of the university forming the constituency.
(2) It shall be the duty of every registration officer of a university constituency to revise annually. in accordance with the rules contained in the First Schedule to this Act, the register of electors for such constituency.
(3) Every annual revision, in pursuance of this section, of a register of electors shall be completed before and shall come into effect on the 1st day of June and shall be so made as to render such register of electors an accurate register, so far as may be practicable, of the persons who were qualified on the next preceding 15th day of November to be registered in such register of electors.
Contents of registers of electors.
10.—The register of electors for each university constituency shall contain the names of all persons who are entitled under this Act to be registered as electors in that constituency, and shall also contain, in respect of every such person, the address at which he is normally resident and also, if he so desires, another address as the address to which his ballot papers are to be sent.
Appeals from the registration officer.
11.—(1) An appeal shall lie to a Judge of the Circuit Court assigned to the Circuit which consists of or includes the county borough of Dublin from any decision of the registration officer for a university constituency on any claim or objection which has been considered by him under this Act.
(2) An appeal shall lie to the High Court on points of law only from a decision of a Judge of the Circuit Court on an appeal under the foregoing sub-section of this section.
(3) No appeal shall lie from a decision of the High Court on an appeal under the next preceding sub-section of this section.
(4) As soon as may be after a decision on an appeal under this section the registrar of the Court shall send to the registration officer notice of such decision, and the registration officer shall make such alterations in the register of electors as shall be necessary to give effect to such decision.
(5) On any appeal under this section, the registration officer shall be named as the respondent or one of the respondents.
PART III.
Conduct of Elections.
Appointment of days and times at Seanad general elections.
12.—(1) Before every Seanad general election, the Minister shall by order appoint for the purposes of such election—
(a) the day (in this Act referred to as the last day for receiving nominations) which shall be the last day on which the returning officer shall receive nominations of candidates in university constituencies;
(b) the day (in this Act referred to as the day for the issue of ballot papers) on which the ballot papers are to be issued and posted to electors in university constituencies;
(c) the day and hour (in this Act referred to as the close of the poll) at which the poll in university constituencies shall be closed.
(2) In the case of the first Seanad general election, the order under this section shall be made as soon as conveniently may be after the commencement of this Act and, in the case of every subsequent Seanad general election, the order under this section shall be made within seven days after the dissolution of Dáil Eireann which occasions such general election.
(3) Every order made by the Minister under this section shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.
Seanad bye-election orders.
13.—(1) Whenever the Clerk of Seanad Eireann by direction of Seanad Eireann informs the Minister that a vacancy has occurred in the membership of Seanad Eireann by reason of the death, resignation, or disqualification of a member thereof who was elected thereto by a university constituency, the Minister shall, as soon as conveniently may be and, in any case, not more than six months after receiving such information, by order (in this Act referred to as a Seanad bye-election order) direct a bye-election to be held in such constituency to fill such vacancy and shall by such order appoint for the purposes of such bye-election the last day for receiving nominations, the day for the issue of ballot papers, and the day and hour for the close of the poll.
(2) Whenever the Minister makes a Seanad bye-election order, the bye-election directed by such order shall be held in accordance with such order and this Act.
Returning officers.
14.—(1) At every election in the National University constituency the Vice-Chancellor of the National University shall be the returning officer.
(2) At every election in the Dublin University constituency, the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, shall be the returning officer.
(3) If at the time of an election in a university constituency the office mentioned in this section as constituting the holder thereof returning officer for such constituency is vacant, or the holder of that office is through ill-health or from any other cause incapacitated from acting as returning officer in such election, the governing body of the university forming such constituency shall appoint some other officer of that university to be returning officer for such constituency in such election.
Duty of returning officer to conduct elections.
15.—(1) It shall be the duty of the returning officer for a university constituency to conduct every election held in such constituency, to count the votes cast thereat, and to ascertain and declare the result thereof in accordance with this Act and the rules contained in the Second and Third Schedules to this Act and to do such other matters and things in respect of such election as he is required by this Act or the said rules to do.
(2) The Minister for Finance shall prepare a scale of maximum charges for returning officers in university constituencies, and every such returning officer shall be paid by the said Minister out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof his reasonable charges, in respect of his services and expenses in relation to every election in the university constituency in which he is returning officer, not exceeding in any case the maximum charges specified in the said scale of maximum charges for the time being in force.
Nomination of candidates.
16.—(1) Every candidate at an election in a university constituency shall be nominated in writing on a nomination paper subscribed by two registered electors of the constituency as proposer and seconder respectively and by eight other registered electors of the constituency as assenting to the nomination.
(2) No person who is for the time being disqualified from or incapable of being elected as a member of Dáil Eireann shall be a candidate at an election in a university constituency.
(3) An elector may subscribe (whether as proposer, seconder, or assenting elector) as many nomination papers as there are vacancies to be filled and no more.
(4) Every candidate shall be described in the nomination paper by his name, address, and description in such manner as, in the opinion of the returning officer, is calculated sufficiently to identify such candidate.
(5) Every nomination paper shall be in the prescribed form, and the returning officer shall supply to any registered elector of the constituency such number of forms of nomination paper as he shall reasonably require.
Publication of notice of times and places.
17.—(1) At every election in a university constituency the returning officer in such constituency shall, at the times mentioned in the next following sub-section of this section, give public notice in such manner as he shall think proper of the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) the times and places at which forms of nomination papers may be obtained from him;
(b) the day appointed under this Act to be the last day for receiving nominations;
(c) the place at which he will attend to receive nominations on the last day for receiving nominations;
(d) the day appointed under this Act to be the day of issue of ballot papers and the time and place at which he will issue ballot papers on that day;
(e) the day and hour appointed under this Act for the close of the poll.
(2) The notice required by the foregoing sub-section of this section to be given by the returning officer shall, in the case of a Seanad general election, be given not more than three days after the date of the order of the Minister appointing the last day for receiving nominations at such election and, in the case of a Seanad bye-election, shall be given not more than three days after the date of the Seanad bye-election order in respect of such election.
Receipt of nomination papers by the returning officer.
18.—(1) Every nomination paper shall be delivered to the returning officer by the candidate thereby nominated or by the person named therein as proposer or as seconder and shall be so delivered after the publication of the notice published in pursuance of the next preceding section of this Act and before twelve o'clock noon on the last day for receiving nominations and, if so delivered before ten o'clock in the forenoon on that day, shall be retained by the returning officer until the last-mentioned hour.
(2) On the last day for receiving nominations the returning officer shall attend at the place mentioned in that behalf in the said notice published in pursuance of the next preceding section of this Act during the whole of the period from ten o'clock in the forenoon until twelve o'clock noon to receive nominations, and shall, at the beginning of such period, produce all nomination papers previously received by him and shall, during the remainder of such period, receive any other nomination papers tendered to him.
(3) All objections to a nomination paper shall be made to the returning officer at the said place and during the said period for receiving nominations and shall be considered and ruled upon by the returning officer during or as soon as conveniently may be after the said period but not later than one o'clock in the afternoon on the last day for receiving nominations.
(4) If at one o'clock in the afternoon on the last day for receiving nominations no more candidates stand nominated than there are vacancies to be filled, the returning officer shall forthwith declare the candidates who so stand nominated to be elected and return their names to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann and (except in the case of the first Seanad general election) to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann.
(5) In the case of the first Seanad general election, a copy of the return required by the next preceding sub-section of this section to be made to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall be sent by the returning officer to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann as soon as may be after such Clerk has been appointed.
(6) If at one o'clock in the afternoon on the last day for receiving nominations more candidates stand nominated than thereare vacancies to be filled, the returning officer shall adjourn the election and take a poll in accordance with this Act.
(7) The ruling of the returning officer on an objection to a nomination paper or on any other question arising in relation to the nomination of the candidates shall be final and shall not he open to review by any Court.
(8) Every candidate nominated by a nomination paper and his proposer and seconder and one other person nominated by him and no other persons (except assistants employed by the returning officer) shall be entitled to attend the proceedings during the receipt of and ruling upon the nomination papers.
Withdrawal of candidates.
19.—(1) A candidate may, before one o'clock in the afternoon on the last day for receiving nominations but not later, withdraw from his candidature by delivering a notice to that effect, signed by him, to the returning officer.
(2) Where a candidate has been nominated while he is absent from Ireland, his proposer and seconder may, before one o'clock on the last day for receiving nominations but not later, withdraw such candidate by a written notice to that effect signed by them and delivered to the returning officer together with a written declaration of the absence of such candidate from Ireland.
(3) If, after the adjournment of an election by the returning officer for the purpose of taking a poll, one of the candidates nominated dies before the day for the issue of ballot papers, the returning officer shall, upon being satisfied of the fact of such death, countermand the poll and thereupon all the proceedings with reference to the election shall be commenced afresh and for that purpose the Minister shall by order appoint new days for receiving nominations and for the issue of ballot papers and a new day and hour for the close of the poll, but in such fresh election no fresh nomination shall be necessary in respect of any candidate who stood nominated at the time of the countermand of the poll.
Ballot papers.
20.—(1) At every election in a university constituency the ballot of each voter shall consist of a paper (in this Act referred to as a ballot paper) containing a list of the candidates described by their names, addresses, and descriptions as stated in their respective nomination papers and arranged alphabetically in the order of their surnames and, in the case of the identity of surnames, of their other names.
(2) The ballot papers shall be in the prescribed form and each ballot paper shall have a number printed on the back thereof, and shall have attached a counterfoil with the same number printed on the face thereof, and every ballot paper shall at the time of the issue thereof be marked on both sides with an official mark either stamped or perforated.
(3) The surname of each candidate shall be printed on the ballot papers in large characters and their other names and their addresses and descriptions shall be printed in small characters, save that whenever the surnames of two or more candidates are the same there shall be printed in large characters (in addition to their surnames) the other names of such candidates and so much of the address or the description or of both the address and the description of each such candidate as will, in the opinion of the returning officer, effectively distinguish such candidate.
Issue of ballot papers.
21.—(1) On the day appointed for the issue of ballot papers at an election in a university constituency the returning officer at such election shall send by post to each person whose name is on the register of electors for such constituency a ballot paper together with a form of declaration of identity.
(2) Every declaration of identity shall be in the prescribed form.
(3.) The returning officer at an election in a university constituency in sending out, receiving, and otherwise dealing with the ballot papers at such election shall observe the rules contained in the Second Schedule to this Act.
Method of voting.
22.—(1) Every person entitled to vote at an election in a university constituency shall be entitled to vote at that election in the following and no other manner, that is to say, by marking and returning by post to the returning officer at such election a ballot paper sent to him under this Act together with the form of declaration of identity similarly sent to him therewith duly made and completed by him.
(2) An elector in giving his vote at an election in a university constituency must place on his ballot paper the figure 1 opposite the name of the candidate for whom he votes and may in addition place on his ballot paper the figures 2 and 3, or 2, 3, and 4, and so on opposite the names of other candidates in the order of his preference.
(3) Any ballot paper—
(a) which does not bear the official mark, or
(b) on which the figure 1 standing alone is not placed at all or is not so placed as to indicate a first preference for some candidate, or
(c) on which the figure 1 standing alone indicating a first preference is set opposite the name of more than one candidate, or
(d) on which the figure 1 standing alone indicating a first preference and some other number is set opposite the name of the same candidate, or
(e) on which anything except the number on the back is written or marked by which the voter can be identified,
shall be invalid and not counted.
Ascertainment and declaration of result of election.
23.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the close of the poll at an election in a university constituency, the returning officer at such election shall, in the presence of such candidates and their respective agents as may be in attendance, ascertain the result of the election in accordance with this Act and in particular the rules contained in the Second and Third Schedules to this Act and shall declare to be elected the candidates who are so ascertained to be elected.
(2) The decision of the returning officer as to any question arising at an election in a university constituency on the ballot papers, the declarations of identity, or the envelopes containing the same or any other matter in relation to the issue, receipt, or counting of the votes shall be final, subject to reversal by a Court trying an election petition in relation to such election.
Preservation of the secrecy of the voting.
24.—(1) The returning officer and every one of his assistants concerned in the issue, receipt, or counting of ballot papers at an election in a university constituency and every candidate and agent present at such issue, receipt, or counting shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting at such election and shall not, before the completion of the election, communicate, except for some purpose authorised by law, any information as to whether any elector has or has not voted at such election or as to the official mark, and shall not at any time communicate to any person any information obtained at or in connection with such issue, receipt, or counting as to the candidate for whom any elector has or has not voted or as to the number on the back of the ballot paper sent to any elector.
(2) No person shall interfere with or attempt to interfere with the receipt, marking, or return of his ballot paper by any elector at an election in a university constituency.
(3) No person shall directly or indirectly induce any elector at an election in a university constituency to display his ballot paper after he shall have marked the same so as to make known to such person or to any other person the name of any candidate for whom he has marked his vote on such ballot paper.
(4) Every person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
Prevention of electoral abuses.
25.—(1) Parts I, II, III, IV, and VIII of the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act, 1923 (No. 38 of 1923), shall apply to elections in university constituencies, and for that purpose—
(a) the expression “Dáil election” wherever it occurs in the said Parts of that Act shall be construed and have effect as including an election in a university constituency;
(b) the expression “Dáil elector” wherever it similarly occurs shall be construed and have effect as including an elector at an election in a university constituency;
(c) the word “election” wherever it occurs without qualification in the said Parts of the said Act shall be construed and have effect as including an election in a university constituency.
(2) In addition and without prejudice to the provisions of the foregoing sub-section of this section, every statutory provision relating to bribery, personation, or corrupt practices at elections of members of Dáil Eireann shall apply to elections in university constituencies as if those elections were elections of members of Dáil Eireann.
Election petitions in relation to elections in university constituencies.
26.—(1) The enactments relating to the presentation and trial of election petitions in relation to elections of members of Dáil Eireann shall apply to elections in university constituencies with the necessary modifications.
(2) No person who has voted at an election in a university constituency shall, in any legal proceedings to question the election or return of any candidate at such election, be required to state for whom he has voted.
Non-compliance with rules.
27.—No election of a candidate at an election in a university constituency shall be declared void by reason only of a non-compliance with the rules contained in the Second or the Third Schedule to this Act or any mistake in the use of the forms prescribed under this Act, if it appears to the tribunal having cognizance of the question that the election was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the body of this Act and that such non-compliance or mistake did not affect the result of the election.
Free postal services.
28.—All postal services (including registration services) wholly within Ireland in relation to the issue and return of ballot papers at an election in a university constituency shall be performed by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs without prepayment of the charges therefor, and all such charges shall be deemed to be part of the expenses of the returning officer at such election and shall be defrayed accordingly.
PART IV.
Miscellaneous.
Resignation of membership of Seanad Eireann.
29.—(1) A member of Seanad Eireann for a university constituency may voluntarily resign his membership of Seanad Eireann by notice in writing to the Chairman of Seanad Eireann who shall announce such resignation to Seanad Eireann at the next meeting thereof.
(2) The resignation under this section of a member of Seanad Eireann shall take effect immediately upon the announcement thereof by the Chairman of Seanad Eireann in pursuance of this section.
Restriction on candidature at Seanad bye-elections.
30.—No member of Seanad Eireann shall, while retaining his membership thereof, be a candidate at a Seanad bye-election.
Election for two university constituencies.
31.—Whenever at a Seanad general election a person is elected as a member of Seanad Eireann for two university constituencies, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) such person shall, by writing under his hand delivered to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann before taking his seat for either of those constituencies, declare which one of those constituencies he will represent in Seanad Eireann;
(b) if such person does not deliver, within one month after the first meeting of Seanad Eireann after such Seanad general election, such declaration as is mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this section to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann in accordance with that paragraph, such person shall be deemed to have declared at the expiration of such month that he will represent in Seanad Eireann that one of the said constituencies in which he received the greatest number of first preferences at such Seanad general election;
(c) as soon as such person has declared or is deemed to have declared which of those constituencies he will represent in Seanad Eireann, he shall be deemed to have resigned his seat in Seanad Eireann as a member thereof for the other of those constituencies.
Election as university member and as panel member.
32.—Whenever at a general election of members of Seanad Eireann a person is elected as a member of Seanad Eireann for a university constituency (in this section referred to as a university member) and also as a member of Seanad Eireann elected from a panel of candidates constituted in pursuance of section 7 of Article 18 of the Constitution (in this section referred to as a panel member), the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) such person shall, by writing under his hand delivered to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann before taking his seat in either capacity, declare whether he will sit in Seanad Eireann as a university member or as a panel member;
(b) if such person does not deliver, within one month after the first meeting of Seanad Eireann after such general election, such declaration as is mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this section to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann in accordance with that paragraph, such person shall be deemed to have declared at the expiration of such month that he will sit in Seanad Eireann as a university member;
(c) as soon as such person has declared or is deemed to have declared in which of the said capacities he will sit in Seanad Eireann, he shall be deemed to have resigned his seat in Seanad Eireann as a member thereof in the other of those capacities.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Registration Rules.
Definition.
1. In this Schedule—
the expression “registration officer” means the registration officer for a university constituency.
Publication of electors' list.
2. On the 29th day of January in every year, every registration officer shall publish a list (in these rules referred to as the electors list) in the prescribed form of all persons who appear to him to be entitled to be registered in the register of electors for his constituency.
Right to send claims.
3. Any person who is not entered in an electors list for a university constituency and claims to be entitled to be registered as an elector in that university constituency may send, on or before the 26th day of February next after the publication of such electors list, to the registration officer for such constituency a claim in the prescribed form to be so registered.
Contents of prescribed form of claim.
4. The prescribed form of claim referred to in the next preceding rule shall be such as to enable the person filling up the same to state therein—
(a) such particulars (including the date of his birth) as shall be requisite to show that he is entitled to be an elector in the constituency to which such claim relates, and
(b) the address at which he was normally resident on the next previous 15th day of November, and
(c) if he so desires, another address as the address to which his ballot papers are to be sent.
Publication of list of claims.
5. Not later than the 12th day of March in every year every registration officer shall prepare and publish a list of claims in the prescribed form and shall enter in such list the name of every person who shall have sent to him, on or before the 26th day of February, a prescribed form of claim properly and sufficiently filled up.
Time for and mode of making objections.
6. Any person who is registered in the register of electors for a university constituency may object to the registration in such register of any person whose name appears in an electors list or a list of claims in respect of such constituency; every such objection shall be made by sending a notice of objection in the prescribed form to the registration officer not later than the 26th day of March next after the publication of the electors list or the list of claims (as the case may be) to which such objection relates.
Obligation to notify person objected to.
7. An objection under the next preceding rule shall not be entertained unless, within the time limited for sending the notice of objection, a copy of the notice of objection sent to the registration officer is sent by prepaid registered post by the person making the objection to the person whose registration is objected to at his address as stated in the electors list or the list of claims as the case may be.
Publication of list of objections.
8. Every registration officer shall prepare and publish as soon as practicable after the 26th day of March in every year a list of the persons named in the electors list or the list of claims in respect of whose registration a notice of objection has been received by such registration officer on or before the said 26th day of March.
Consideration of and ruling upon objections.
9. Every registration officer shall, as soon as practicable, consider and rule upon all objections of which notice has been given to him in accordance with these rules, and for that purpose shall give, in respect of every such objection, at least five clear days notice to the person making the objection and to the person whose registration is thereby objected to of the time and place at which he will consider and rule upon such objection.
Consideration of and ruling upon claims.
10. Every registration officer shall also consider, as soon as practicable, every claim mentioned in the list of claims in respect of which no notice of objection has been given in accordance with these rules and,
(a) if he considers that such claim may be allowed without further inquiry, he shall allow such claim and give notice thereof to the claimant, or
(b) if he is not satisfied that such claim can be allowed without further inquiry, he shall give at least five clear days notice to the claimant of the time and place at which he will consider and rule upon such claim.
Objections by the registration officer.
11. A registration officer may make such further inquiries as he may deem necessary in respect of any claim mentioned in a list of claims and, if after such inquiry it shall appear to him that the claimant is not entitled to be registered, the registration officer may himself at any time object to such claim by sending a notice of objection stating the grounds of the objection to the claimant.
Every objection made by a registration officer under this rule shall be considered and ruled upon by him, and for that purpose he shall give to the claimant at least five clear days notice of the time and place at which he will so consider and rule upon such claim.
Claims for correction of entries in a register.
12. Any person who is registered as an elector in a register of electors and claims that he is entered in such register in an incorrect manner or with incorrect particulars may send to the registration officer, on or before the 26th day of February, a notice in the prescribed form stating that he is so entered incorrectly, and stating the alterations which he alleges to be necessary in order to make such register correct in regard to him, and claiming that the register be altered accordingly.
No claim made under this rule shall be included in the list of claims.
Consideration of and ruling upon claims for corrections.
13. Every registration officer shall consider, as soon as practicable, every claim made under the next preceding rule and—
(a) if he considers that such claim may be allowed without further inquiry, he shall allow such claim and give notice thereof to the claimant, or
(b) if he is not satisfied that such claim can be allowed without further inquiry, he shall give at least five clear days notice to the claimant of the time and place at which he will consider and rule upon such claim.
Revision of the register.
14. Not later than the 31st day of May in every year every registration officer shall revise the register of electors for his constituency by doing the following things in regard to such register, that is to say:—
(a) inserting in such register the names and addresses of all persons who were entered in the electors list published on the previous 29th day of January and whose registration was not successfully objected to and of all persons who have claimed to be entitled to be registered in such register and whose claim for such registration has been allowed by such registration officer, and
(b) making all such corrections in such register as may be necessary to give effect to all claims for corrections which have been allowed by such registration officer, and
(c) removing from such register the names of all persons who were omitted from the said electors list because they were dead.
Publication of the revised register.
15. When a registration officer has completed the revision, in accordance with the next preceding rule, of the register of electors for his constituency, he shall do the following things in relation to such register as so revised (in this rule referred to as the revised register), that is to say:—
(a) publish such revised register not later than the 1st day of June by publishing a notice that a copy of such revised register is open to inspection at his office, and
(b) keep at least one copy of such revised register available in his office for inspection, and
(c) permit any person to inspect free of charge in his office during office hours a copy of such revised register, and
(d) on the application of any person during office hours and on payment of the prescribed fee, furnish to such person a copy of such revised register or of so much thereof as is the subject of such application, and
(e) transmit a copy of such revised register to the Minister as soon as may be after the publication of such register, and
(f) whenever so requested by the Minister, transmit to the Minister a summary of the contents of such revised register in such form and giving such particulars as he shall specify in such request.
Method of appealing to the Circuit Court.
16. A person desiring to appeal against the decision of a registration officer must give notice of appeal in the prescribed form to such registration officer and to the opposite party (if any) when such decision is given or within five days thereafter.
The registration officer shall transmit every such notice of appeal so given to him to the county registrar for the county borough of Dublin in the manner directed by rules of court together with, in every case, a statement of the material facts which, in the opinion of such registration officer, have been established in the case, and of his decision upon the whole case and on any point which may be specified as a ground of appeal.
The registration officer shall furnish to the court hearing any such appeal such further information, within his knowledge or procurement, as such court may require.
Appeals on similar grounds.
17. Where it appears to a registration officer that any two or more notices of appeal from his decisions are based on similar grounds, he shall inform the county registrar for the county borough of Dublin of that fact for the purpose of enabling the judge hearing such appeals (if he so thinks fit) to consolidate such appeals or to select one of such appeals as a test case.
Changes of address of registered electors.
18. Any person registered in the register of electors for a university constituency may at any time inform the registration officer for such constituency of any change in the address of such person (whether the address at which he is ordinarily resident or the address to which his ballot papers are to be sent) and thereupon such registration officer shall amend such register of electors by entering therein such change of address.
Deletion of deceased electors from the register.
19. Whenever it comes to the knowledge of the registration officer for a university constituency that a person registered in the register of electors for such constituency is dead he shall take note of that fact and shall, at the next annual revision of such register in pursuance of this Act, omit the name of such person from the electors list.
Evidence of age and citizenship.
20. The registration officer for a university constituency, before registering any person in the register of electors for such constituency may, if he thinks it necessary—
(a) require such person to produce a certificate of his birth or, if that is not practicable or convenient, to make a statutory declaration that he has attained the age of twenty-one years, and
(b) require such person either, as the case may require, to make a statutory declaration that he is a citizen of Ireland or to produce a certificate of his naturalisation as a citizen of Ireland.
Where a person is required under this rule to make a statutory declaration, any fee payable in connection therewith shall be paid by the registration officer as part of his registration expenses and the declaration shall be exempt from stamp duty.
Method of publishing documents.
21. Where a registration officer is required by these rules to publish any document, and no specific provision is made as to the mode of publication, such registration officer shall publish such document by making copies thereof available for inspection in his office during office hours and posting a notice in some conspicuous place on the outside of his office stating the times at which such document may be inspected in his office.
Provision of forms by registration officers.
22. Every registration officer shall, on the application of any person, supply to such person free of charge such number of forms of claim and forms of notice of objection as he shall reasonably require.
Every registration officer shall also, on the application of any person, permit such person to inspect and take copies of any claim or notice of objection received by such registration officer under these rules and shall also, on payment of the prescribed fee, supply to such person a copy of any such claim or notice of objection.
Method of sending notices.
23. Any claim, notice of objection, or other document which is, under these rules, to be sent to a registration officer may be sent to him by prepaid post addressed to him at his office.
Any notice which is required by these rules to be sent by a registration officer to any person shall be sufficiently sent if sent by post addressed to such person at the address given by him for that purpose or, if he is a registered elector, at his address as stated in the register of electors or, where neither of such addresses is available, at his last known place of abode.
Persons entitled to appear and be heard before the registration officer.
24. On the consideration of any claim or objection or other matter by a registration officer in pursuance of these rules, any person appearing to such registration officer to be interested may appear and be heard either in person or by some other person (other than counsel) on his behalf.
Power of registration officer to take evidence on oath.
25. On the consideration of any claim or objection, or other matter by a registration officer in pursuance of these rules, such registration officer may, at the request of any person interested or, if he so thinks fit, without such request, require that the evidence tendered by any person should be given on oath and may administer an oath for that purpose.
Misnomers and inaccurate descriptions.
26. No misnomer or inaccurate description of any person or place in any list or in a register of electors or in any notice shall prejudice the operation of this Act or these rules as respects that person or place provided such person or place is so designated as to be commonly understood.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Conduct of Elections.
Issue of ballot papers.
1. On the day for the issue of ballot papers, the returning officer shall issue in the manner directed in the following rules a ballot paper to every elector registered in the register of electors for the constituency.
Attendance of candidates.
2. Every candidate and his agent shall be entitled to attend at the issue of the ballot papers and the returning officer shall on the request of any such candidate or agent inform him of the time and place at which such issue of ballot papers will be made.
Persons present at issue of ballot papers.
3. No person shall be present at the issue of ballot papers save the returning officer and his assistants, such of the candidates and their agents as choose to attend, and such other persons (if any) as the returning officer may permit to be so present.
Method of issuing ballot papers.
4. The returning officer shall issue each ballot paper by doing or causing to be done the following things in the following order, that is to say:—
(a) the number, name, and description as stated in the register of electors of the elector to whom the ballot paper is to be issued shall be called out;
(b) the elector's said number shall be marked on the counter-foil of the ballot paper;
(c) a mark shall be placed on a copy of the register of electors opposite the elector's number thereon to denote that a ballot paper has been issued to such elector but without disclosing the identity of such ballot paper;
(d) the ballot paper shall be marked on both sides with the official mark;
(e) the number on the back of the ballot paper shall be marked upon a form of declaration of identity and upon a ballot paper envelope;
(f) there shall be placed in an envelope (hereinafter referred to as the outer envelope) in the prescribed form addressed to the elector at the address stated in the register of electors as the address to which his ballot papers are to be sent or, where no such address is so stated, at theaddress of his normal residence as stated in the register of electors the following documents, that is to say:—
(i) the said ballot paper, and
(ii) the said form of declaration of identity, and
(iii) an envelope (hereinafter referred to as the covering envelope) in the prescribed form addressed to the returning officer, and
(iv) a smaller envelope (herein referred to as the ballot paper envelope) in the prescribed form marked as hereinbefore directed with the number on the back of the said ballot paper;
(g) the outer envelope shall be effectually closed;
(h) when the foregoing provisions of this rule have been complied with in respect of all the ballot papers to be issued, all the said closed outer envelopes shall be collected, counted, and posted.
Posting of ballot papers.
5. The returning officer shall post the said closed outer envelopes by delivering such envelopes to the nearest head post office, or such other office as may be arranged with the head postmaster, and the postmaster at such office shall stamp with the post office date stamp a form of receipt to be presented by the returning officer stating the number of envelopes so delivered, and shall immediately forward such envelopes by registered post for delivery to the persons to whom they are addressed.
Preservation of electoral roll and counterfoils.
6. The returning officer, as soon as practicable after the completion of the issue of the ballot papers and in the presence of the candidates and their agents in attendance, shall make up in separate packets, sealed with his own seal and sealed by such of the candidates or agents as desire to affix their seals, the marked copy of the register of electors and the counterfoils of the ballot papers.
The ballot box.
7. The returning officer shall provide a ballot box for the reception of the covering envelopes when returned by the voters, and on the completion of the issue of the ballot papers the returning officer shall show such ballot box open and empty to the candidates and agents (if any) present, and shall seal such ballot box withhis seal and shall make provision for the safe custody of such ballot box.
Disposal of covering envelopes on receipt.
8. The returning officer shall forthwith place unopened in the ballot box every covering envelope received by him before the close of the poll and shall seal up unopened in a separate package all covering envelopes received by him after the close of the poll and shall also seal up unopened in a separate package all outer envelopes returned to him as undelivered.
Notice of counting of votes.
9. Not less than three days before the close of the poll the returning officer shall send by post to the agent of every candidate notice in writing of the time and place at which he will open the ballot box and count the votes.
Opening of the ballot box.
10. As soon as conveniently may be after the close of the poll the returning officer shall open the ballot box and count the votes.
Persons present at counting of votes.
11. No person shall be present at the opening of the ballot box or the counting of the votes save the returning officer and his assistants, such of the candidates and their agents as choose to attend, and such other persons (if any) as the returning officer may permit to be present.
Procedure on opening of the ballot box.
12. When the ballot box has been opened the returning officer shall do the following things, that is to say:—
(a) take all the covering envelopes out of the ballot box and count and note the number thereof;
(b) open each such covering envelope and examine the declaration of identity therein and compare the number on such declaration with the number on the ballot paper envelope in such covering envelope;
(c) if the said numbers agree and the declaration of identity is found to be duly completed and made, the returning officer shall place the declaration of identity and the ballot paper envelope in separate receptacles;
(d) if the returning officer is not satisfied that the declaration of identity has been duly completed and made heshall endorse the declaration of identity “vote rejected” and shall attach thereto the ballot paper envelope, without opening such envelope, or if there is no such envelope, the ballot paper;
(e) if the returning officer finds that the numbers on the declaration of identity and on the ballot paper envelope do not agree, or if the envelope has no number on it, he shall open the envelope and, if the number on the ballot paper agrees with the number on the declaration of identity, he shall place the ballot paper in the special receptacle provided by him for ballot papers;
(f) where the number on the ballot paper does not agree with the number on the declaration of identity, the returning officer shall replace the ballot paper in its envelope, if any, attach such envelope or ballot paper (as the case may be) to the declaration of identity, and endorse the declaration of identity “vote rejected”;
(g) where a declaration of identity does not appear to accompany the ballot paper envelope, the returning officer shall open the ballot paper envelope, and if it is found to contain the declaration of identity he shall deal with such declaration and ballot paper in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this rule;
(h) he shall mark with the word “rejected” every declaration of identity which is not accompanied by a ballot paper, and every ballot paper which is not accompanied by a declaration of identity.
Ballot papers and declarations not in proper envelopes.
13. Where a ballot paper and a declaration of identity are received together and the numbers thereon agree, the ballot paper shall not be rejected solely on the ground that the ballot paper and declaration of identity were or either of them was not placed in the proper envelopes or envelope or that any such envelope was not fastened.
Rejection of declarations of identity.
14. The returning officer shall show any declaration of identity which he proposes to reject on the ground that it has not been properly completed and made to the candidates and agents present and, if an objection is made by any such candidate or agent to his decision, he shall add to the endorsement the words “rejection objected to.”
Separation of rejected declarations.
15. The returning officer shall keep all rejected declarations, with the attached envelopes or ballot papers as the case may be, separate from other documents.
Opening of ballot paper envelope.
16. When all the covering envelopes in the ballot box have been opened and their contents dealt with under the preceding rules, the returning officer shall open each unopened ballot paper envelope and compare the number on the envelope with the number on the ballot paper and, if the numbers agree, he shall place the ballot paper in the special receptacle provided by him for ballot papers, but if the numbers do not agree he shall mark the ballot paper “rejected” and shall attach it to the envelope.
Preservation of declarations, ballot papers, etc.
17. As soon as the returning officer has completed the placing of the ballot papers in the said special receptacle he shall seal up in separate packets (1) the declarations of identity which accompanied any ballot papers duly accepted; (2) any rejected declarations of identity; and (3) any rejected ballot papers; in the two latter cases with the envelopes (if any) attached thereto.
Counting of the votes.
18. When the returning officer has complied with the foregoing rules he shall mix together thoroughly the ballot papers contained in the said special receptacle and shall then take the said ballot papers out of the said special receptacle, count and note the number thereof and then count, in accordance with the rules contained in the Third Schedule to this Act, the votes recorded on the said ballot papers.
Rejection of invalid ballot papers.
19. The returning officer shall endorse “rejected” on any ballot paper which he rejects as invalid and, if an objection be made by any candidate or agent to his decision rejecting the ballot paper, he shall add to the said endorsement “rejection objected to”.
Continuity of proceedings under this Schedule.
20. The returning officer shall so far as practicable proceed continuously with the proceedings under this Schedule subsequent to the opening of the ballot box and with the counting of the votes but may at any time suspend such proceedings or counting for refreshment, night-time or other reasons appearing to him to be sufficient for such period as he thinks proper, and whenever he does so suspend such proceedings or such counting he shall take allproper precautions for the security of the ballot papers, envelopes, votes, and other documents relating to the election.
Declaration of secrecy.
21. The returning officer and every of his assistants taking part in any of the proceedings under this Schedule or the counting of the votes and every candidate and agent attending any of the said proceedings or the said counting shall, before so taking part or so attending, sign an undertaking in the prescribed form to preserve the secrecy of the voting.
Certificate of result of the poll.
22. As soon as the counting of the votes is completed the returning officer shall prepare in duplicate a certificate in the prescribed form setting out the names of the candidates elected, the total number of votes given for each candidate (whether elected or not), every transfer of votes made under this Act and the total number of votes credited to each candidate at the end of the count at which each such transfer took place, and such other matters as shall be prescribed, and the returning officer shall then sign the said duplicate certificate and shall send one such duplicate to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann and (except in the case of the first Seanad general election) the other such duplicate to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann.
In the case of every certificate prepared under this rule in relation to the first Seanad general election, the returning officer shall, after he has sent one duplicate of such certificate to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann, retain the other duplicate thereof and shall send or deliver such other duplicate to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann as soon as may be after such Clerk has been appointed.
Publication of result of election.
23. The returning officer shall also prepare and publish in the Iris Oifigiúil a statement in the prescribed form of the names of the candidates elected and of the order in which they were elected.
Preservation of ballot papers.
24. Upon the completion of the counting of the votes the returning officer shall seal up in separate packets the counted ballot papers and the ballot papers rejected as invalid.
Retention of documents by the returning officer.
25. The returning officer shall retain for six months from the close of the poll the several sealed packets of the marked copy of the register of electors, the counterfoils of the ballot papers, the covering envelopes received after the close of the poll, the outer envelopes returned as undelivered, the accepted declarations of identity, the rejected declarations of identity, the rejected ballot papers, the counted ballot papers, and the invalid ballot papers, and shall at the end of the said period of six months destroy all the said sealed packets unless an election tribunal shall have otherwise ordered.
Inspection of sealed packets.
26. No person shall be allowed to inspect any of the said sealed packets retained by the returning officer nor any of the contents thereof save under and in accordance with an order of an election tribunal.
Authority for inspection of sealed packets.
27. An election tribunal may authorise the inspection by any person of the contents of any of the said sealed packets as justice may require but on any such inspection care shall be taken that the mode in which any particular elector has voted shall not be discovered until lie has been proved to the satisfaction of an election tribunal to have voted and such tribunal has declared his vote to be invalid.
Compliance with orders of election tribunal.
28. The returning officer shall comply with every order made by an election tribunal in relation to the inspection, production, and disposal of the said sealed packets.
Conclusiveness of production by the returning officer.
29. Where an order is made by an election tribunal for the production by the returning officer of any document or packet of documents in his possession relating to a specified election, the production by the returning officer of such document or packet of documents in pursuance of such order shall be conclusive evidence that such document or packet of documents relates to the said specified election, and the endorsement made by the returning officer in pursuance of this Schedule on any such document or packet of documents shall be conclusive evidence that such document or packet is what it is stated in such endorsement to be.
Evidence of voting.
30. The production by the returning officer of a ballot paper purporting to have been used at any election and of a counterfoil marked with the same printed number and having a number marked thereon in writing shall be prima facie evidence that the person who voted by such ballot paper was the person whose number on the register of electors was the same as the number so marked on such counterfoil.
Endorsement of packets by the returning officer.
31. Whenever the returning officer is required by this Schedule to seal up any documents in a separate packet he shall endorse on such packet a statement of the number and character of such documents and the election to which they relate.
Meaning of “election tribunal.”
32. In this Schedule the expression “election tribunal” means a court lawfully having cognizance of petitions complaining of undue return or undue election at a Seanad election.
THIRD SCHEDULE.
Counting of the Votes.
1. (1) After the ballot papers have been mixed in accordance with the Rules contained in the Second Schedule to this Act, the returning officer shall, rejecting any that are invalid, cause the ballot papers to be arranged in parcels according to the first preferences recorded for each candidate.
(2) The returning officer shall then count the number of papers in each parcel, and credit each candidate with a number of votes equal to the number of valid papers on which a first preference has been recorded for such candidate, and he shall ascertain the full total number of all valid papers.
2. The returning officer shall then divide the full total number of all valid papers by a number exceeding by one the number of vacancies to be filled. The result increased by one, any fractional remainder being disregarded, shall be the number of votes sufficient to secure the return of a candidate. This number is herein called the “quota.”
3. If at the end of any count the number of votes credited to a candidate is equal to or greater than the quota, that candidate shall be deemed to be elected.
4. (1) If at the end of any count the number of votes credited to a candidate is greater than the quota, the surplus shall be transferred in accordance with the provisions of this Rule to the continuing candidate or candidates indicated on the ballot papers in the parcel or sub-parcel of the elected candidate, according to the next available preferences recorded thereon.
(2) (a) If the votes credited to an elected candidate consist of original votes only, the returning officer shall examine all the papers in the parcel of the elected candidate whose surplus isto be transferred, and shall arrange the transferable papers in sub-parcels according tο the next available preferences recorded thereon.
(b) If the votes credited to an elected candidate consist of original and transferred votes, or of transferred votes only, the returning officer shall examine the papers contained in the sub-parcel last received by the elected candidate, and shall arrange the transferable papers therein in further sub-parcels according to the next available preferences recorded thereon.
(c) In either of the cases referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this sub-section the returning officer shall make a separate sub-parcel of the non-transferable papers, and shall ascertain the number of papers in each sub-parcel of transferable papers, and in the sub-parcel of non-transferable papers.
(3) If the surplus is equal to or greater than the total number of papers in the sub-parcels of transferable papers, the returning officer shall transfer each sub-parcel of transferable papers to the continuing candidate indicated thereon as the voters' next available preference:
Provided that where the surplus is greater than such total number a sub-parcel shall be made of a number of non-transferable papers equal to the difference between the said total number and the surplus and the papers in such sub-parcel shall be set aside and not further taken into account and for the purposes of Rule 22 in the Second Schedule to this Act shall be described as non-transferable papers not effective and the remaining non-transferable papers also arranged as a sub-parcel shall be placed with the papers of the candidate deemed to be elected.
(4) (a) If the surplus is less than the total number of transferable papers, the returning officer shall transfer from each sub-parcel of transferable papers to the continuing candidate indicated thereon as the voters' next available preference that number of papers which bears the same proportion to the number of papers in the sub-parcel as the surplus bears to the total number of transferable papers.
(b) The number of papers to be transferred from each sub-parcel shall be ascertained by multiplying the number of papers in the sub-parcel by the surplus and dividing the result by the total number of transferable papers. A note shall be made of the fractions, if any, in each quotient ascertained in respect of each candidate.
(c) If, owing to the existence of such fractions, the number of papers to be transferred is less than the surplus, so many of these fractions taken in the order of their magnitude, beginning with the largest, as are necessary to make the total number of papers to be transferred equal to the surplus, shall be reckoned as of the value of unity, and the remaining fractions shall be ignored.
If two or more fractions are of equal magnitude, that fraction shall be deemed to be the largest which arises from the largest sub-parcel, and if such sub-parcels are equal in size, preference shall be given to the candidate who obtained the largest number of original votes. Where the numbers of such original votes are equal regard shall be had to the total number of votes credited to such candidates, at the first count at which they had an unequal number of votes, and the fraction credited to the candidate with the greatest number of votes at that count shall be deemed to be the largest. Where the numbers of votes credited to such candidates were equal at all counts the returning officer shall determine by lot which fraction shall be deemed to be the largest.
(d) The particular papers to be transferred from each sub-parcel shall be those last filed in the sub-parcel, and each paper so transferred shall be marked stamped or perforated so as to indicate the number of the count at which the transfer took place.
(5) A surplus which arises at the end of any count shall be transferred before a surplus which may arise at a subsequent count: Provided that—
(a) the returning officer need not necessarily transfer the surplus of an elected candidate when that surplus, together with any other surplus not transferred is less than the difference between the numbers of the votes credited to the two lowest continuing candidates;
(b) a surplus which is equal to or greater than the difference between the numbers of votes credited to the two lowest candidates shall be transferred before any surplus which is less than such difference;
(c) if there are two or more surpluses, each of which is less than the difference between the numbers of votes credited to the two lowest candidates, the greatest of such surpluses shall be first transferred without regard to the count at which it arose.
(6) When two or more surpluses arise from the same count the largest shall be first dealt with and the others shall be dealt with in the order of their magnitude.
(7) If two or more candidates have each an equal surplus arising from the same count, regard shall be had to the number of original votes obtained by each candidate, and the surplus of the candidate credited with the largest number of original votes shall be first dealt with.
Where the numbers of such original votes are equal, regard shall be had to the total number of votes credited to such candidates at the first count at which they had an unequal number of votes, and the surplus of the candidate with the greatest number of votes at that count shall be first dealt with.
Where the numbers of votes credited to such candidates were equal at all counts, the returning officer shall determine by lot which surplus he will first deal with.
5. (1) If at any time no candidate has a surplus (or when under the preceding Rule an existing surplus need not be and is not transferred), and one or more vacancies remain unfilled, the returning officer shall exclude the candidate credited with the lowest number of votes, and shall examine all the papers of that candidate, and shall arrange the transferable papers in sub-parcels according to the next available preferences recorded thereon for continuing candidates, and shall transfer each sub-parcel to the candidate for whom that preference is recorded, and shall make a separate sub-parcel of the non-transferable papers. The non-transferable papers shall be set aside as finally dealt with and shall for the purposes of Rule 22 in the Second Schedule to this Act be described as non-transferable papers not effective.
(2) If the total of the votes of the two or more lowest candidates together with any surplus not transferred, is less than the number of votes credited to the next highest candidate, the returning officer may in one operation exclude those candidates and transfer their votes in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Rule.
(3) If, when a candidate has to be excluded under this Rule, two or more candidates have each the same number of votes and are lowest, regard shall be had to the number of original votes credited to each of those candidates, and the candidate with the smallest number of original votes shall be excluded, and where the numbers of the original votes are equal, regard shall be had to thetotal numbers of votes credited to those candidates at the first count at which they had an unequal number of votes, and the candidate with the lowest number of votes at that count shall be excluded and, where the numbers of votes credited to those candidates were equal at all counts, the returning officer shall determine by lot which shall be excluded.
6. (1) Whenever any transfer is made under any of the preceding Rules each sub-parcel of papers transferred shall be placed on top of the parcel, if any, of papers of the candidate to whom the transfer is made, and that candidate shall be credited with a number of votes equal to the number of papers transferred to him.
(2) If after any transfer a candidate has a surplus, that surplus shall be dealt with in accordance with and subject to the provisions contained in Rule 4 before any other candidate is excluded.
7. (1) When the number of continuing candidates is equal to the number of vacancies remaining unfilled, the continuing candidates shall thereupon be deemed to be elected.
(2) When only one vacancy remains unfilled, and the votes of some one continuing candidate exceed the total of all the votes of the other continuing candidates, together with any surplus not transferred, that candidate shall thereupon be deemed to be elected.
(3) When the last vacancies can be filled under this Rule, no further transfer of votes need be made.
8. (1) Any candidate or his agent may, at the conclusion of any count, request the returning officer to re-examine and recount all or any of the papers dealt with during that count, and the returning officer shall forthwith re-examine and recount accordingly the papers indicated without making any alterations in the arrangement of the papers in the various parcels, save where such alterations may be necessary in consequence of any error discovered in the recount. The returning officer may also at his discretion recount papers either once or more often in any case in which he is not satisfied as to the accuracy of any count: Provided that nothing herein shall make it obligatory on the returning officer to recount the same parcel of papers more than once.
(2) The powers of the Court upon an election petition shall include power to direct the whole or any part of the ballot papers to be recounted, and the result of the election to be ascertained in accordance with these Rules.
(3) On any such recount, subject to such modifications as may be necessary by reason of any order of the Court, each paper shall take the same course as at the original counting of the votes.
9. (1) If any question shall arise in relation to the exclusion of any candidate under Rule 5 or to any transfer of votes, the decision of the returning officer, whether expressed or implied by his acts, shall be final, unless an objection in writing stating the grounds thereof is made to the returning officer by any candidate or his agent before the declaration of the poll, and in that event the decision of the returning officer may be reversed upon an election petition.
(2) If any decision of the returning officer is so reversed, the transfer in question and all operations subsequent thereto shall be void, and the court may direct what transfer is to be made in place of the transfer in question, and may cause the subsequent operations to be carried out, and the result of the election to be ascertained in accordance with these Rules.
10. In these Rules—
(1) The expression “continuing candidate” means any candidate not deemed to be elected and not excluded.
(2) The expression “first preference” means the figure “1” standing alone; the expression “second preference” means the figure “2” standing alone in succession to the figure “1” and the expression “third preference” means the figure “3” standing alone in succession to the figures “1” and “2” set opposite the name of any candidate, and so on.
(3) The expression “next available preference” means a second or subsequent preference recorded in consecutive numerical order for a continuing candidate, the preference next in order on the ballot paper for candidates already deemed to be elected or excluded being ignored.
(4) The expression “transferable paper” means a ballot paper on which, following a first preference, a second or subsequentquent preference is recorded in consecutive numerical order for a continuing candidate.
(5) The expression “non-transferable paper” means a ballot paper on which no second or subsequent preference is recorded for a continuing candidate.
Provided that a paper shall be deemed to have become a non-transferable paper whenever—
(a) the names of two or more candidates (whether continuing or not) are marked with the same number and are next in order of preference; or
(b) the name of the candidate next in order of preference (whether continuing or not) is marked—
(i) by a number not following consecutively after some other number on the ballot paper; or
(ii) by two or more numbers; or
(c) it is void for uncertainty.
(6) The expression “original vote” in regard to any candidate means a vote derived from a ballot paper on which a first preference is recorded for that candidate.
(7) The expression “transferred vote” in regard to any candidate, means a vote derived from a ballot paper on which a second or subsequent preference is recorded for that candidate.
(8) The expression “surplus” means the number of votes by which the total number of votes, original and transferred credited to any candidate exceeds the quota.
(9) The expression “count” means—
(a) all the operations involved in the counting of the first preferences recorded for candidates; or
(b) all the operations involved in the transfer of the surplus of an elected candidate; or
(c) all the operations involved in the transfer of the votes of an excluded candidate.
(10) The expression “deemed to be elected” means deemed to be elected for the purpose of counting of the votes, but without prejudice to the declaration of the poll.
(11) The expression “determine by lot” means determine in accordance with the following direction:—The names of the candidates concerned having been written on similar slips of paper, and the slips having been folded so as to prevent identification and mixed and drawn at random, the candidate or candidates shall, in cases of exclusion be excluded in the order in which their names are drawn, and, in cases of surpluses, the surpluses shall be transferred in the order in which the names are drawn.