Off On Dualscroll
Turn Dualscroll on to scroll both language versions together.
Uimhir 43 de 1960.
AN tACHT TOGHCHÁIN, 1960.
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Toghcháin, 1960, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocrófar chuige sin le hordú nó le horduithe ón Aire Rialtais Áitiúil go ginearálta nó maidir le haon chríoch nó foráil áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú amhlaidh chun críocha éagsúla agus chun forálacha éagsúla den Acht seo.
Achtacháin áirithe a choimeád i bhfeidhm.
1868. c. 125.
1883, c. 51.
1869, c. 21.
2.—D'ainneoin aon ní atá in aon Acht eile, leanfaidh—
(a) an oiread den Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868, agus a choimeádtar i bhfeidhm leis an Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act, 1883, agus
(b) an Corrupt Practices Commission Expenses Act, 1869,
i bhfeidhm go dtí cibé tráth a aisghairfear nó a fhoirceannfar iad.
Aisghairm.
3.—Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaitear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a aisghairm a mhéid a luaitear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.
CUID II.
Toghcháin chun Dáil Éireann.
Léiriú, forléiriú agus comhlua (Cuid II).
4.—(1) Sa Chuid seo den Acht seo ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht Timpeall Toghchán, 1923.
(2) Forléireofar le chéile mar aon Acht amháin na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1923 go 1959, agus an Chuid seo den Acht seo agus féadfar na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1923 go 1960, a ghairm díobh le chéile.
Aois toghthóra a chinntiú.
1945. Uimh. 6.
5.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 7 (a cuireadh isteach le halt 3 den Acht Toghcháin (Dáil Éireann agus Údaráis Áitiúla), 1945):
“7. Chun críocha an Achta seo glacfar gurb é aois duine an aois a bhí an duine sin an 15ú lá d'Aibreán díreach i ndiaidh an 15ú lá de Mheán Fómhair, is é sin, an dáta cáilitheach.”
Comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána agus d'Óglaigh na hÉireann a thaifeadadh sa liosta de phostvótálaithe agus socrú speisialta chun comhaltaí d'Óglaigh na hÉireann a chlárú.
1954 Uimh. 18.
6.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 8:
“8A.—(1) Déanfar toghthóir Dála a thaifeadadh ar an liosta de phost-vótálaithe dá dháil cheantar—
(a) más comhalta den Gharda Síochána é, nó
(b) más comhalta lánaimsire d'Óglaigh na hÉireann é.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh toghthóir is comhalta lánaimsire d'Óglaigh na hÉireann, lá nach déanaí ná an lá deiridh chun éilithe dá dtagraítear i Riail 9 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a dhéanamh, ráiteas ag insint na háite ina mbeadh gnáthchónaí air ar an dáta cáilitheach mura mbeadh a sheirbhís, a thabhairt don oifigeach cláraitheachta don limistéar cláraitheachta ina bhfuil an áit sin, glacfar leis an ráiteas, cheal fianaise contrártha dó sin, mar ráiteas cruinn agus clárófar é sa dáilcheantar ina bhfuil an áit sin.
(3) (a) San alt seo, ciallaíonn “comhalta lánaimsire d'Óglaigh na hÉireann”—
(i) comhalta de na Buan-Óglaigh, nó
(ii) oifigeach de na hÓglaigh Cúltaca ar fostú go leanúnach dó ar seirbhís nó ar dualgas míleata i rith tréimhse a bhfuil i bhfeidhm lena linn forógra á údarú cúltacairí a ghairm amach ar buanseirbhís, nó i rith tréimhse a bhfuil cúltacairí gairthe amach ar buanseirbhís faoi alt 88 den Acht Cosanta, 1954, nó
(iii) cúltacaire atá gairthe amach ar buanseirbhís.
(b) Sa mhír roimhe seo tá le “na Buan-Óglaigh”, “oifigeach”, “na hÓglaigh Cúltaca”, “forógra á údarú cúltacairí a ghairm amach ar buanseirbhís”, agus “cúltacaire” na bríonna céanna faoi seach atá leo san Acht Cosanta, 1954.”
Laetheanta i gcóir ainmniúchán agus vótaíochtaí.
R. & O.R. Uimh. 331 de 1945.
7.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 18 (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) d'alt 3 den Acht Timpeall Toghchán (Leasú), 1927, agus le fo-mhír (1) de mhír (3) den Ordú chun an tAcht Timpeall Toghchán, 1923, d'Oiriúnú, 1945):
“18. (1) I dToghchán Dála—
(a) is é an lá deiridh chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh an lá deiridh den tréimhse arb é a bheidh inti na naoi lá (gan aon lá eiscthe a áireamh) díreach i ndiaidh—
(i) i gcás olltoghcháin, dáta an fhorógra ag lánscor Dháil Éireann, agus
(ii) i gcás corrthoghcháin, an lá a eiseofar an rit don toghchán, agus
(b) glacfar an vótaíocht cibé lá a cheapfaidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil is lá i rith na tréimhse arb é a bheidh inti na deich lá (gan aon lá eiscthe a áireamh) díreach i ndiaidh na tréimhse arb é a bheidh inti na sé lá (gan aon lá eiscthe a áireamh) díreach i ndiaidh an lae dheiridh chun glacadh le hainmniúcháin.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 60 den Acht seo maidir leis an alt seo, ach ciallaíonn “lá eiscthe” san alt seo lá ar bith de na laethanta a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt sin 60 mar laetheanta nach n-áireofar”
Vótáil ag postvótálaithe.
8.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 21 den Phríomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fo-ailt (1) go (4):
“(1) Gach toghthóir a mbeidh, le linn toghchán Dála, a ainm ar an liosta de phost-vótálaithe do dháilcheantar, beidh teideal aige vótáil sa dáilcheantar sin sa vótaíocht sa toghchán sin trína pháipéar ballóide a chur leis an bpost chuig an gceann comhairimh don dáilcheantar sin agus ní bheidh teideal aige vótáil ar aon slí eile.
(2) Déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh, i gcás toghchán Dála iomaíochta, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an toghchán a chur ar atráth, páipéar ballóide agus foirm admhála (a bheidh san fhoirm fhorordaithe) i leith an pháipéir bhallóide sin a chur chuig gach duine a mbeidh a ainm ar an liosta de phost-vótálaithe dá dháilcheantar.
(3) Má fhaigheann an ceann comhairimh, sula mbeidh críoch leis an vótaíocht, an páipéar ballóide sin agus é marcáilte go cuí ag an duine sin maraon leis an admháil sin agus í sínithe go cuí ag an duine sin comhairfidh sé é agus déileálfar leis chun gach críche mar a dhéileálfar le páipéar ballóide a chuirfí sa bhosca ballóide sa ghnáth-shlí.”
(2) Leasaítear leis seo an Ceathrú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht—
(a) trí “admháil” a chur in ionad “faisnéis chéannachta” nó “faisnéis” cibé áit a bhfuil na focail sin i Rialacha 1, 3, 6, 7 agus 9,
(b) trí “agus dílse-dhearbhuithe” a scriosadh as mír (4) agus “gur dílse-dhearbhuíodh” a scriosadh as mír (5) de Riail 6 agus “agus dílse-dhearbhaithe” a scriosadh as mír (1) de Riail 7, agus
(c) trí “hadmhálacha” a chur in ionad “faisnéisí” i mír (2) de Riail 7.
Eagar na n-ainmneacha ar an liosta de phost-vótálaithe.
9.—Leasaítear leis seo an Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht tríd an riail seo a leanas a chur in ionad Riail 16:
“16. Déanfar na hainmneacha ar an liosta de phostvótálaithe a eagrú i cibé slí agus i cibé ord a ordóidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil.”
Vótáil ag daoine dalla agus daoine éagumasacha.
10.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Cuid 1 den Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht tríd an riail seo a leanas a chur in ionad Riail 24:
“24. (1) (a) Má chuireann toghthóir ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp air ionas nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh agus go n-iarrfaidh sé go marcálfaidh compánach a pháipéar ballóide dó, ansin, faoi réir fhomhír (b) den mhír seo, féadfaidh an compánach an páipéar ballóide a mharcáil don toghthóir agus cuirfidh sé an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.
(b) Chun críocha fhomhír (a) den mhír seo—
(i) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide, an toghthóir a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm seo a leanas:
‘Bheirim Dia na nUilechumhacht (nó—Déanaim go sollúnta, go macánta agus go fírinneach a dhearbhú agus a dhearbhascadh de réir mar a bheidh) go bhfuil mallachar radhairc orm (nó—go bhfuil éagumas coirp orm—de réir mar a bheidh) ionas nach féidir liom vótáil gan chúnamh’
agus má dhiúltaíonn an toghthóir an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhascadh a dhéanamh ní mharcálfar an páipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo;
(ii) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann gníomhaire d'iarrthoir air é, déanfaidh sé, na ceisteanna seo a leanas, nó aon cheist nó ceisteanna acu, a chur ar an gcompánach sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide:
(I) An bhfuil sé bliana déag d'aois slán agat ?
(II) Ar mharcáil tú mar chompánach níos mó ná aon pháipéar ballóide amháin sa toghchán seo (nó sa chorrthoghchán seo, de réir mar a bheidh)?
(III) An iarrthóir tú sa toghchán seo (nó sa chorrthoghchán seo, de réir mar a bheidh) ?
(IV) An gníomhaire d'iarrthóir tú sa toghchán seo (nó sa chorrthoghchán seo, de réir mar a bheidh) ?
agus mura freagra dearfach an freagra a gheofar ar an gcéad cheist agus freagra diúltach ar an gceist eile nó ar na ceisteanna eile, de réir mar a bheidh, ní mharcálfaidh an compánach an páipéar ballóide;
(iii) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann an gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide, an compánach a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm seo a leanas:
‘Bheirim Dia na nUilechumhacht (nó —Déanaim go sollúnta, go macánta agus go fírinneach a dhearbhú agus a dhearbhascadh—de réir mar a bheidh) go bhfuil sé bliana déag d'aois slán agam agus nár mharcáil mé, mar chompánach, níos mó ná páipéar ballóide amháin sa toghchán seo (nó sa chorr thoghchán seo, de réir mar a bheidh) agus nach iarrthóir ná gníomhaire d'iarrthóir ann mé’
agus má dhiúltaíonn an compánach an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhascadh a dhéanamh, ní mharcálfaidh sé an páipéar ballóide.
(c) Má chuireann toghthóir ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp air ionas nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh agus—
(i) nach n-iarrfaidh sé go marcálfaidh compánach a pháipéar ballóide dó, nó
(ii) go mbeidh sé tar éis é sin a iarraidh agus gurbh shárú ar chlásal (ii) nó (iii) d'fhomhír (b) de mhír (I) den riail seo an compánach do mharcáil a pháipéir bhallóide,
déanfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, i bhfianaise gníomhairí na n-iarrthóirí agus ní i bhfianaise aon duine eile, a chur faoi deara vóta an toghthóra a mharcáil ar pháipéar ballóide de réir mar a ordóidh an toghthóir agus cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.
(d) Chun críocha fhomhír (c) den mhír seo, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide, an toghthóir a chur faoi mhionn nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm atá leagtha amach i gclásal (i) de mhír (b) den mhír seo, agus má dhiúltaíonn an toghthóir an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh ní mharcálfar an páipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo.
(e) Má chuireann toghthóir ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil sé chomh neamhliteartha sin nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh, déanfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, i bhfianaise gníomhairí na n-iarrthóirí agus ní i bhfianaise aon duine eile, a chur faoi deara vóta an toghthóra a mharcáil ar pháipéar ballóide de réir mar a ordóidh an toghthóir agus cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.
(2) Má iarrann toghthóir, laistigh de cheithre huaire a chloig roimh an am a bheidh socraithe chun an vótaíocht a chríochnú, go marcálfar a pháipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo ar shlí seachas ag compánach, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais diúltú dá iarratas más dóigh leis, ag féachaint don méid toghthóirí a bheidh ag teacht isteach an tráth sin chun vótála nó ar dóigh dóibh teacht isteach chun vótála sula gcríochnófar an vótaíocht, go gcuirfeadh sé as dá dhualgais a chomhlíonadh i gceart aige nó go mbacfadh sé go míchuí toghthóirí eile ó vótáil dá ngéilleadh sé don iarratas sin.
(3) I gcás ina marcálfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais páipéar ballóide faoin riail seo, déanfaidh sé de réir na dtreoracha atá i gCuid II den Sceideal seo.”
(2) (a) I gcás ina mbeidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 24 de Chuid 1 den Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo) tar éis dhá pháipéar bhallóide a mharcáil mar chompánach i dtoghchán, ní mharcálfaidh sé mar chompánach, aon pháipéar ballóide eile sa toghchán sin.
(b) Ní dhéanfaidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 24 de Chuid I den Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo), páipéar ballóide a mharcáil, mar chompánach, i dtoghchán más iarrthóir nó gníomhaire d'iarrthóir sa toghchán sin é féin.
(c) Aon duine a sháróidh mír (a) nó mír (b) den fho-alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 19 de Chuid I den Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht trí “compánaigh iarrthóirí a bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp orthu ionas nach féidir leo vótáil gan chúnamh an fad a bheidh na compánaigh sin ag cabhrú leis na toghthóirí sin” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “gníomhairí na n-iarrthóirí.”
CUID III.
Toghcháin an Uachtaráin.
Léiriú, forléiriú agus comhlua (Cuid III).
11.—(1) Sa Chuid seo den Acht seo ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” Acht Toghchán an Uachtaráin, 1937.
(2) Forléireofar le chéile mar aon Acht amháin Achtanna Toghchán an Uachtaráin, 1937 agus 1946, agus an Chuid seo den Acht seo agus féadfar Achtanna Toghchán an Uachtaráin, 1937 go 1960, a ghairm díobh le chéile.
Vótail ag post-vótálaithe.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 29 den Phríomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-ailt (2) agus (3):
“(2) Déanfaidh gach ceann comhairimh áitiúil, a luaithe is féidir tar éis dó fógra a fháil ó cheann comhairimh toghcháin an uachtaráin i dtaobh toghchán uachtaráin a chur ar atráth chun vótaíocht a ghlacadh, páipéar ballóide agus foirm admhála (a bheidh san fhoirm fhorordaithe) i leith an pháipéir bhallóide sin a chur chuig gach duine a mbeidh a ainm ar an liosta de phost-vótálaithe dá dháilcheantar.
(3) Má fhaigheann an ceann comhairimh, sula mbeidh críoch leis an vótaíocht, an páipéar ballóide sin agus é marcáilte go cuí ag an duine sin maraon leis an admháil sin agus í sínithe go cuí ag an duine sin comhairfidh sé é agus déileálfar leis chun gach críche mar a dhéileálfaí le páipéar ballóide a chuirfí sa bhosca ballóide sa ghnáth-shlí.”
Vótáil ag daoine dalla agus daoine éagumasacha.
13.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 17 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (1):
“(1) (a) Má chuireann aon toghthóir ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp air ionas nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh agus go n-iarrfaidh sé go marcálfaidh compánach a pháipéar ballóide dó, ansin, faoi réir fhomhír (b) den mhír seo, féadfaidh an compánach an páipéar ballóide a mharcáil don toghthóir (agus dá réir sin ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (3) den riail seo) agus cuirfidh sé an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.
(b) Chun críocha fhomhír (a) den mhír seo—
(i) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann an gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide, an toghthóir a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm seo a leanas:
‘Bheirimse Dia na nUilechumhacht (nó — Déanaim go sollúnta, go macánta agus go fírinneach a dhearbhú agus a dhearbhascadh— de réir mar a bheidh) go bhfuil mallachar radhairc orm (nó — go bhfuil éagumas coirp orm—de réir mar a bheidh) ionas nach féidir liom vótáil gan chúnamh’
agus má dhiúltaíonn an toghthóir an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh ní mharcálfar an páipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo:
(ii) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais agus, má iarrann gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, na ceisteanna seo a leanas nó aon cheist nó ceisteanna acu, a chur ar an gcompánach sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide:
(I) An bhfuil sé bliana déag d'aois slán agat ?
(II) Ar mharcáil tú mar chompánach níos mó ná aon pháipéar ballóide amháin sa toghchán seo ?
(III) An iarrthóir tú sa toghchán seo ?
(IV) An gníomhaire d'iarrthóir tú sa toghchán seo ?
agus muran freagra dearfach an freagra a gheofar ar an gcéad cheist agus freagra diúltach ar an gceist eile nó ar na ceisteanna eile, de réir mar a bheidh, ní mharcálfaidh an compánach an páipéar ballóide;
(iii) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann an gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide, an compánach a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm seo a leanas:
‘Bheirimse Dia na nUilechumhacht (nó — Déanaim go sollúnta, go macánta agus go fírinneach a dhearbhú agus a dhearbhascadh— de réir mar a bheidh) go bhfuil sé bliana déag d'aois slán agam agus nár mharcáil mé, mar chompánach, níos mó ná páipéar ballóide amháin sa toghchán seo agus nach iarrthóir ná gníomhaire d'iarrthóir ann mé’
agus má dhiúltaíonn an compánach an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh, ní mharcálfaidh sé an páipéar ballóide.
(c) Má chuireann toghthóir ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp air ionas nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh agus—
(i) nach n-iarrfaidh sé go marcálfaidh compánach a pháipéar ballóide dó, nó
(ii) go mbeidh sé tar éis é sin a iarraidh agus gurbh shárú ar chlásal (ii) nó (iii) d'fhomhír (b) den mhír seo an compánach do mharcáil a pháipéir bhallóide,
déanfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, i bhfianaise gníomhairí an iarrthóra agus ní i bhfianaise aon duine eile, a chur faoi deara vóta an toghthóra a mharcáil ar pháipéar ballóide de réir mar a ordóidh an toghthóir agus cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.
(d) Chun críocha fhomhír (c) den mhír seo, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar páipéar ballóide, an toghthóir a chur faoi mhionn nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm atá leagtha amach i gclásal (i) d'fhomhír (b) den mhír seo, agus má dhiúltaíonn an toghthóir an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh ní mharcálfar an páipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo.
(e) Má chuireann toghthóir ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil sé comh neamhliteartha nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh, déanfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, i bhfianaise gníomhairí na n-iarrthóirí agus ní i bhfianaise aon duine eile, a chur faoi deara vóta an toghthóra a mharcáil ar pháipéar ballóide de réir mar a ordóidh an toghthóir agus cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.”
(2) (a) I gcás ina mbeidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 17 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo), tar éis dhá pháipéar bhallóide a mharcáil mar chompánach, ní mharcálfaidh sé, mar chompánach, aon pháipéar ballóide eile sa toghchán uachtaráin céanna.
(b) Ní dhéanfaidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 17 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo), páipéar ballóide a mharcáil, mar chompánach, i dtoghchán uachtaráin más iarrthóir nó gníomhaire d'iarrthóir sa toghchán sin é féin.
(c) Aon duine a sháróidh mír (a) nó mír (b) den fho-alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo mír (2) de Riail 17 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht trí “ar shlí seachas ag compánach” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “fén riail seo”.
(4) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 12 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht trí “compánaigh toghthóirí a bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp orthu ionas nach féidir leo vótáil gan chúnamh an fad a bheidh na compánaigh sin ag cabhrú leis na toghthóirí sin” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “gníomhairí pearsanála na n-iarrthóirí”.
CUID IV.
Reifrinn.
Léiriú, forléiriú agus comhlua. (Cuid IV).
14.—(1) Sa Chuid seo den Acht seo ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” Acht an Reifrinn, 1942.
(2) Forléireofar le chéile mar aon Acht amháin Achtanna an Reifrinn, 1942 go 1959, agus an Chuid seo den Acht seo agus féadfar Achtanna an Reifrinn, 1942 go 1960, a ghairm díobh le chéile.
Vótáil ag post-vótálaithe.
15.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 20 den Phríomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-ailt (2) agus (3):
“(2) Déanfaidh gach ceann comhairimh áitiúil, a luaithe is féidir tar éis dáta an ordaithe ón Aire ag ceapadh an lae vótaíochta i reifreann, páipéar ballóide agus foirm admhála (a bheidh san fhoirm fhorordaithe) i leith an pháipéir bhallóide sin a chur chuig gach duine a bheidh ar an liosta de phost-vótálaithe dá dháilcheantar.
(3) Má fhaigheann an ceann comhairimh, sula mbeidh críoch leis an vótaíocht, an páipéar ballóide sin agus é marcáilte go cuí ag an duine sin maraon leis an admháil sin agus í sínithe go cuí ag an duine sin comhairfidh sé é agus déileálfar leis chun gach críche mar a dhéileálfaí le páipéar ballóide a chuirfí sa bhosca sa ghnáth-shlí.”
(2) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 31 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht tríd na focail “na hadmhálacha do” a chur in ionad na bhfocal “na dearbhaithe céannachta do” agus “admhálacha dar” a chur in ionad “dearbhuithe céannachta dar” i mír (c) den riail sin.
Vótáil ag daoine dalla agus daoine éagumasacha.
16.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 18 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (1):
“24. (1) (a) Má chuireann vótálaí ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp air ionas nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh agus go n-iarrfaidh sé go marcálfaidh compánach a pháipéar ballóide dó, ansin, faoi réir fhomhír (b) den mhír seo, féadfaidh an compánach an páipéar ballóide a mharcáil don vótálaí (agus dá réir sin ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (3) den riail seo) agus cuirfidh sé an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide, agus,
(b) Chun críocha fhomhír (a) den mhír seo—
(i) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann gníomhaire pearsanála air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar páipéar ballóide, an toghthóir a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm seo a leanas:
‘Bheirimse Dia na hUilechumhacht (nó—Déanaim go sollúnta, go macánta agus go fírinneach a dhearbhú agus a dhearbhascadh —de réir mar a bheidh) go bhfuil mallachar radhairc orm (nó—go bhfuil éagumas coirp orm—de réir mar a bheidh) ionas nach féidir dom vótáil gan chúnamh’
agus má dhiúltaíonn an vótálaí an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh, ní mharcálfar an páipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo;
(ii) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann gníomhaire d'iarrthóir air é, déanfaidh sé, na ceisteanna seo a leanas nó aon cheist nó aon dá cheist acu a chur ar an gcompánach sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide:
(I) An bhfuil sé bliana déag d'aois slán agat ?
(II) Ar mharcáil tú mar chompánach níos mó ná aon pháipéar ballóide amháin sa reifreann seo ?
(III) An gníomhaire pearsanála tú sa reifreann seo ?
agus muran freagra dearfach an freagra a gheofar an an gcéad cheist agus freagra diúltach ar an gceist nó ar na ceisteanna eile, de réir mar a bheidh, ní mharcálfaidh an compánach an páipéar ballóide;
(iii) féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus má iarrann gníomhaire pearsanála air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar páipéar ballóide, an compánach a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm seo a leanas:
‘Bheirimse Dia na nUilechumhacht (nó—Déanaim go sollúnta, go macánta agus go fírinneach a dhearbhú agus a dhearbhascadh —de réir mar a bheidh) go bhfuil sé bliana déag d'aois slán agam agus nár mharcáil mé, mar chompánach, níos mó ná aon pháipéar ballóide amháin sa reifreann seo agus nach gníomhaire pearsanála ann mé’
agus má dhiúltaíonn an compánach an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh, ní mharcálfaidh sé an páipéar ballóide;
(c) Má chuireann vótálaí ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp air ionas nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh agus—
(i) nach n-iarrfaidh sé go marcálfaidh compánach a pháipéar ballóide dó, nó
(ii) go mbeidh sé tar éis é sin a iarraidh agus gurbh shárú ar chlásal (ii) nó (iii) d'fhomhír (b) den mhír seo an compánach do mharcáil a pháipéir bhallóide,
déanfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, i bhfianaise na ngníomhairí pearsanála (más ann) agus ní i bhfianaise aon duine eile, a chur faoi deara vóta an vótálaí a mharcáil ar pháipéar ballóide de réir mar a ordóidh an vótálaí agus cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.
(d) Chun críocha fhomhír (c) den mhír seo, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, agus, má iarrann oifigeach pearsanála air é, déanfaidh sé, sula seachadfar an páipéar ballóide, an vótálaí a chur faoi mhionn (nó, i gcás duine a chuirfidh in aghaidh mionn a ghlacadh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil aon chreideamh aige nó go bhfuil sé in aghaidh a chreidimh mionn a ghlacadh, faoi dhearbhasc) san fhoirm atá leagtha amach i gclásal (i) d'fhomhír (b) den mhír seo, agus má dhiúltaíonn an votálaí an mionn a ghlacadh nó an dearbhasc a dhéanamh, ní mharcálfar an páipéar ballóide dó faoin riail seo.
(e) Má chuireann vótálaí ina luí ar an oifigeach ceannais go bhfuil sé chomh neamhliteartha sin nach féidir leis vótáil gan chúnamh, déanfaidh an t-oifigeach ceannais, i bhfianaise na ngníomhairí pearsanála (más ann) agus ní i bhfianaise aon duine eile, a chur faoi deara vóta an vótálaí a mharcáil ar pháipéar ballóide de réir mar a ordóidh an vótálaí sin, agus cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide, agus é marcáilte amhlaidh, sa bhosca ballóide.”
(2) (a) I gcás ina mbeidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 18 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo), tar éis dhá pháipéar bhallóide a mharcáil mar chompánach, ní mharcálfaidh sé, mar chompánach, aon pháipéar ballóide eile sa reifreann céanna.
(b) Ní dhéanfaidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 18 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo), páipéar ballóide a mharcáil mar chompánach i reifreann más gníomhaire pearsanála sa reifreann sin é féin.
(c) Aon duine a sháróidh mír (a) nó mír (b) den fho-alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fineáil nach mó má céad punt a chur air.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo mír (2) de Riail 18 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht trí “ar shlí seachas ag compánach” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “fén riail seo.”
(4) Leasaítear leis seo Riail 13 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht trí “compánaigh vótálaithe a bhfuil mallachar radhairc nó éagumas eile coirp orthu ionas nach féidir leo vótáil gan chúnamh an fad a bheidh na compánaigh sin ag cabhrú leis na toghthóirí sin” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “na gníomhairí pearsanála (más ann) a bheidh ceaptha dá stáisún vótaíochta”.
CUID V.
Toghcháin d'Údarais Áitiúla.
Leasuithe a bhaineann le toghcháin d'údaráis áitiúla.
1918, c. 64.
17.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (7) d'alt 41 den Representation of the People Act, 1918, trí “the 15th day of April next following” a chur isteach roimh “the last day of the qualifying period.”
(2) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 3 den Acht chun Toghthóirí Rialtais Áitiúla do Chlárú, 1924, trí “15ú lá de Mheán Fómhair” a chur in ionad “15adh lá de mhí na Samhna.”
(3) Beidh éifeacht ag alt 4 den Acht chun Toghthóirí Rialtais Áitiúla do Chlárú, 1924, amhail is—
(i) dá mba thagairt do Chuid II den Acht Timpeall Toghcháin, 1923, agus an t-alt a chuirtear isteach le halt 6 den Acht seo a áireamh, an tagairt don Chuid sin II, agus
(ii) dá bhfágtaí ar lár mír (a) d'fho-alt (1).
(4) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 2 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúla (Reacht-Shaoirse do Leathnú), 1935, tríd an abairt bhreise seo a leanas a chur leis: “Chun críocha an fho-ailt seo, measfar gurb é aois duine sin an 15ú lá d'Aibreán díreach i ndiaidh an dáta cháilithigh iomchuí.”
(5) Leasaítear leis seo an Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941, trí “(arna leasú leis an Acht Toghcháin, 1960) agus freisin alt 21 (arna leasú amhlaidh) agus an Ceathrú Sceideal (arna leasú amhlaidh)”, a chur isteach sa tríú colún i ndiaidh “Coda I agus II den Chúigiú Sceideal”.
(6) (a) I gcás ina mbeidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 24 de Chuid I den Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht Timpeall Toghcháin, 1923 (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) d'alt 10 den Acht seo agus mar a thugtar feidhm dó le halt 39 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941, agus leis an alt seo), tar éis dhá pháipéar bhallóide a mharcáil, mar chompánach, i dtoghchán, ní mharcálfaidh sé, mar chompánach, aon pháipéar ballóide eile sa toghchán sin.
(b) Ní dhéanfaidh duine, de bhun mhír (1) de Riail 24 de Chuid I den Chúigiú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht Timpeall Toghcháin, 1923 (arna leasú le fo-alt (1) d'alt 10 den Acht seo agus mar a thugtar feidhm dó le halt 39 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941, agus leis an alt seo) páipéar ballóide a mharcáil, mar chompánach, i dtoghchán más iarrthóir nó gníomhaire d'iarrthóir sa toghchán sin é féin.
(c) An duine a sháróidh mír (a) nó mír (b) den alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
AN SCEIDEAL.
Achtacháin a Aisghairtear.
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
An tAcht Timpeall Toghcháin, 1923. | Fo-ailt (6) agus (7) d'alt (1); alt 5; na focail “Is de réir ceanntracha vótaíochta a déanfar suas gach liost den tsórt sin” i Riail 3 de na Rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal. | |
An tAcht Timpeall Toghcháin (Leasú), 1927. | Fo-alt (1) d'alt 3. | |
An tAcht Toghcháin (Dáil Éireann agus Údaráis Áitiúla), 1945. | Alt 3. | |
Alt 302. | ||
Number 43 of 1960.
ELECTORAL ACT, 1960.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Elections to Dáil Éireann
Interpretation, construction and collective citation (Part II). | |
Presidential Elections
Interpretation, construction and collective citation (Part III). | |
Referenda
Interpretation, construction and collective citation (Part IV). | |
Elections to Local Authorities
Acts Referred to | |
Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868 | 1868, c. 125 |
Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act, 1883 | 1883, c. 51 |
Corrupt Practices Commission Expenses Act, 1869 | 1869, c. 21 |
1923, No. 12 | |
1945, No. 6 | |
1954, No. 18 | |
1927, No. 21 | |
Adaptation Order, 1945 | S.R. & O., No. 331 of 1945 |
1937, No. 32 | |
1942, No. 8 | |
People Act, 1918 | 1918, c. 64 |
1924, No. 7 | |
1935, No. 9 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
Number 43 of 1960.
ELECTORAL ACT, 1960.
Part I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Electoral Act, 1960.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as may be fixed therefor by order or orders of the Minister for Local Government either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions of this Act.
Continuance of certain enactments.
2.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act—
(a) so much of the Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868, as is continued by the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act, 1883, and
(b) the Corrupt Practices Commission Expenses Act, 1869,
shall continue in force until such time as they are repealed or terminated.
Repeals.
3.—The enactments mentioned in the Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent mentioned in the third column of that Schedule.
Part II.
Elections to Dáil Éireann.
Interpretation, construction and collective citation (Part II).
4.—(1) In this Part of this Act “the Principal Act” means the Electoral Act, 1923.
(2) The Electoral Acts, 1923 to 1959, and this Part of this Act shall be construed together as one Act and may be cited together as the Electoral Acts, 1923 to 1960.
Ascertainment of elector's age.
5.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 7 (inserted by section 3 of the Electoral (Dáil Éireann and Local Authorities) Act, 1945):
“7. For the purposes of this Act a person's age shall be taken to be that person's age on the 15th day of April next following the 15th day of September, being the qualifying date.”
Entry of members of Garda Síochána and Defence Forces in postal voters list and special provision for registration of members of Defence Forces.
6.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 8:
“8A.—(1) A Dáil elector shall be entered in the postal voters list for his constituency if he is—
(a) a member of the Garda Síochána, or
(b) a whole time member of the Defence Forces.
(2) Where, not later than the last day for making claims referred to in Rule 9 of the First Schedule to this Act, an elector who is a whole time member of the Defence Forces furnishes a statement of the place in which, but for his service, he would be ordinarily resident on the qualifying date to the registration officer for the registration area in which that place is situate, the statement shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be accepted as a correct statement and he shall be registered in the constituency in which that place is situate.
(3) (a) In this section “a whole time member of the Defence Forces” means—
(i) a member of the Permanent Defence Force, or
(ii) an officer of the Reserve Defence Force employed continuously on military service or duty during a period during which a proclamation authorising the calling out of reservists on permanent service is in force, or during a period during which reservists are called out on permanent service under section 88 of the Defence Act, 1954, or
(iii) a reservist called out on permanent service.
(b) In the foregoing paragraph “the Permanent Defence Force”, “officer”, “the Reserve Defence Force”, “proclamation authorising the calling out of reservists on permanent service” and “reservist” have the same meanings respectively as they have in the Defence Act, 1954.”
Days for nominations and polls.
7.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 18 (as amended by subsection (1) of section 3 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1927, and sub paragraph (1) of paragraph (3) of the Electoral Act, 1923, Adaptation Order, 1945):
“18. (1) At a Dáil Election—
(a) the last day for receiving nominations shall be the last day of the period which consists of the nine days (disregarding any excluded day) next following—
(i) in the case of a general election, the day of the proclamation dissolving Dáil Éireann, and
(ii) in the case of a bye-election, the day on which the writ for the election is issued, and
(b) the poll shall be taken on such day as shall be appointed by the Minister for Local Government being a day during the period which consists of the ten days (disregarding any excluded day) next following the period which consists of the six days (disregarding any excluded day) next following the last day for receiving nominations.
(2) Section 60 of this Act shall not apply in relation to this section, but ‘excluded day’ in this section means any of the days which are specified in subsection (1) of the said section 60 as days not to be reckoned.”
Voting by postal voters.
8.—(1) Section 21 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsections for subsections (1) to (4):
“(1) Every elector whose name is, at the time of a Dáil election, on the postal voters list for a constituency shall be entitled to vote in that constituency at the poll at such election by sending his ballot paper by post to the returning officer for the said constituency and shall not be entitled to vote in any other manner.
(2) The returning officer shall, in the case of a contested Dáil election, as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the election, send to every person whose name is on the postal voters list for his constituency a ballot paper and a form of receipt (which shall be in the prescribed form) for such ballot paper.
(3) If such ballot paper duly marked by the said person and accompanied by the said receipt duly signed by him is received by the returning officer before the close of the poll, it shall be counted by him and treated for all purposes in the same manner as a ballot paper placed in the ballot box in the ordinary way.”
(2) The Fourth Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of “receipt” for “declaration of identity” or “declaration” wherever those words occur in Rules 1, 3, 6, 7 and 9,
(b) by the deletion of “and authenticated” in paragraph (4) and (5) of Rule 6 and in paragraph (1) of Rule 7, and
(c) by the substitution of “receipts” for “declarations” in paragraph (2) of Rule 7.
Arrangement of names in postal voters list.
9.—The First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following rule for Rule 16:
“16. The names in the postal voters list shall be arranged in such manner and such order as may be directed by the Minister for Local Government.”
Voting by blind and incapacitated persons.
10.—(1) Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following rule for Rule 24:
“24. (1) (a) If any elector satisfies the presiding officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is otherwise so physically incapacitated that he is unable to vote without assistance and he requests that his ballot paper shall be marked for him by a companion, then, subject to sub paragraph (b) of this paragraph, the companion may mark the ballot paper for the elector and shall place it so marked in the ballot box.
(b) For the purposes of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph—
(i) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by an agent of a candidate, shall, administer to the elector before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the following form:
‘I swear by Almighty God (or—do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm—as the case may be) that my sight is so impaired (or—that I am so physically incapacitated—as the case may be) that I am unable to vote without assistance’
and if the elector refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, the ballot paper shall not be marked for him under this rule;
(ii) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by an agent of a candidate, shall, put to the companion before delivery of the ballot paper, the following questions or any one or more of them:
(I) Have you attained the age of sixteen years?
(II) Have you marked as a companion more than one ballot paper at this election (or bye-election, as the case may be)?
(III) Are you a candidate at this election (or bye-election, as the case may be)?
(IV) Are you an agent of a candidate at this election (or bye-election, as the case may be)?
and unless the first question is answered in the affirmative and the other question or questions, as the case may be, is or are answered in the negative the companion shall not mark the ballot paper;
(iii) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by the agent of a candidate, shall, administer to the companion before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the following form:
‘I swear by Almighty God (or—do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm—as the case may be) that I have attained the age of sixteen years and that I have not marked as a companion more than one ballot paper at this election (or this bye-election, as the case may be) and that I am not a candidate or an agent of a candidate thereat’
and if the companion refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, he shall not mark the ballot paper.
(c) If any elector satisfies the presiding officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is otherwise so physically incapacitated that he is unable to vote without assistance and either—
(i) he does not request that his ballot paper shall be marked for him by a companion, or
(ii) having so requested, the marking of his ballot paper by the companion would be in contravention of clause (ii) or (iii) of sub paragraph (b) of paragraph (I) of this rule,
the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the agents of the candidates and no other person, cause the vote of the elector to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the elector and shall place the ballot paper so marked in the ballot box.
(d) For the purposes of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph, the presiding officer may, and, if requested by an agent of a candidate, shall, administer to the elector before delivery of the ballot paper an oath or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the form set out in clause (i) of paragraph (b) of this paragraph, and if the elector refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, the ballot paper shall not be marked for him under this rule.
(e) If any elector satisfies the presiding officer that he is so illiterate that he is unable to vote without assistance, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the agents of the candidates and no other person, cause the vote of the elector to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the elector and shall place the ballot paper so marked in the ballot box.
(2) A request made by any elector within four hours before the hour fixed for closing the poll to have his ballot paper marked for him under this rule otherwise than by a companion may be refused by the presiding officer if, in his opinion, having regard to the number of electors then coming in to vote or likely to come in to vote before the close of the poll, his acceding to such request would interfere with the proper discharge of his duties or would unduly obstruct the voting of other electors.
(3) Where under this rule the presiding officer marks a ballot paper, he shall observe the directions contained in Part II of this Schedule.”
(2) (a) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 24 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Principal Act (as amended by subsection (1) of this section), a person has marked as a companion two ballot papers at an election, he shall not, at that election, mark as a companion any other ballot paper.
(b) A person shall not, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 24 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Principal Act (as amended by subsection (1) of this section), mark as a companion a ballot paper at an election if he is a candidate or agent of a candidate at that election.
(c) A person who contravenes paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
(3) Rule 19 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after “the agents of the candidates”, of “companions of electors whose sight is so impaired or who are otherwise so physically incapacitated that they are unable to vote without assistance while such companions are assisting such electors.”
Part III.
Presidential Elections.
Interpretation, construction and collective citation (Part III).
11.—(1) In this Part of this Act “the Principal Act” means the Presidential Elections Act, 1937.
(2) The Presidential Elections Acts, 1937 and 1946, and this Part of this Act shall be construed together as one Act and may be cited together as the Presidential Elections Acts, 1937 to 1960.
Voting by postal voters.
12.—Section 29 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsections for subsections (2) and (3):
“(2) Every local returning officer shall, as soon as practicable after he receives from the presidential returning officer notice of the adjournment of a presidential election for the purpose of taking a poll, send to every person whose name is on the postal voters list for his constituency a ballot paper and a form of receipt (which shall be in the prescribed form) for such ballot paper.
(3) If such ballot paper duly marked by the said person and accompanied by the said receipt duly signed by him is received by the returning officer before the close of the poll, it shall be counted by him and treated for all purposes in the same manner as a ballot paper placed in the ballot box in the ordinary way.”
Voting by blind and incapacitated persons.
13.—(1) Rule 17 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (1):
“(1) (a) If any elector satisfies the presiding officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is otherwise so physically incapacitated that he is unable to vote without assistance, and he requests that his ballot paper shall be marked for him by a companion, then, subject to subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, the companion may mark the ballot paper for the elector (and paragraph (3) of this rule shall accordingly not apply) and shall place it so marked in the ballot box.
(b) For the purposes of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph—
(i) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by the agent of a candidate shall, administer to the elector before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the following form:
‘I swear by Almighty God (or—do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm—as the case may be) that my sight is so impaired (or—that I am so physically incapacitated—as the case may be) that I am unable to vote without assistance’
and if the elector refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, the ballot paper shall not be marked for him under this rule:
(ii) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by an agent of a candidate, shall, put to the companion before delivery of the ballot paper, the following questions or any one or more of them:
(I) Have you attained the age of sixteen years?
(II) Have you marked as a companion more than one ballot paper at this election?
(III) Are you a candidate at this election?
(IV) Are you an agent of a candidate at this election?
and unless the first question is answered in the affirmative and the other question or questions, as the case may be, is or are answered in the negative the companion shall not mark the ballot paper;
(iii) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by the agent of a candidate, shall, administer to the companion before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the following form:
‘I swear by Almighty God (or—do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm—as the case may be) that I have attained the age of sixteen years and that I have not marked as a companion more than one ballot paper at this election and that I am not a candidate or an agent of a candidate thereat’ and if the companion refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, he shall not mark the ballot paper.
(c) If any elector satisfies the presiding officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is otherwise so physically incapacitated that he is unable to vote without assistance and either—
(i) he does not request that his ballot paper shall be marked for him by a companion, or
(ii) having so requested, the marking of his ballot paper by the companion would be in contravention of clause (ii) or, (iii) of subparagraph (b) of this paragraph,
the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the agents of the candidate and no other person, cause the vote of the elector to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the elector and shall place the ballot paper so marked in the ballot box.
(d) For the purposes of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph, the presiding officer may, and, if requested by an agent of a candidate, shall, administer to the elector before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the form set out in clause (i) of subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, and if the elector refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, the ballot paper shall not be marked for him under this rule.
(e) If any elector satisfies the presiding officer that he is so illiterate that he is unable to vote without assistance, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the agents of the candidates and no other person, cause the vote of the elector to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the elector and shall place the ballot paper so marked in the ballot box.”
(2) (a) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 17 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act (as amended by subsection (1) of this section), a person has marked as a companion two ballot papers, he shall not, at the same presidential election, mark as a companion any other ballot paper.
(b) A person shall not, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 17 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act (as amended by subsection (1) of this section), mark as a companion a ballot paper at a presidential election if he is a candidate or agent of a candidate at that election.
(c) A person who contravenes paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
(3) Paragraph (2) of Rule 17 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after “under this rule” of “otherwise than by a companion”.
(4) Rule 12 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after “the personation agents of the candidates,” of “companions of electors whose sight is so impaired or who are otherwise so physically incapacitated that they are unable to vote without assistance while such companions are assisting such electors,”.
Part IV.
Referenda.
Interpretation, construction and collective citation. (Part IV).
14.—(1) In this Part of this Act “the Principal Act” means the Referendum Act, 1942.
(2) The Referendum Acts, 1942 to 1959, and this Part of this Act shall be construed together as one Act and may be cited together as the Referendum Acts, 1942 to 1960.
Voting by postal voters.
15.—(1) Section 20 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsections for subsections (2) and (3):
“(2) Every local returning officer shall, as soon as practicable after the date of the order of the Minister appointing the polling day at a referendum, send to every person who is on the postal voters list for his constituency a ballot paper and a form of receipt (which shall be in the prescribed form) for such ballot paper.
(3) If such ballot paper duly marked by the said person and accompanied by the said receipt duly signed by him is received by the returning officer before the close of the poll, it shall be counted by him and treated for all purposes in the same manner as a ballot paper placed in the ballot box in the ordinary way.”
(2) Rule 31 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the word “receipts” for the words “declarations of identity” in paragraph (c) of the said rule.
Voting by blind and incapacitated persons.
16.—(1) Rule 18 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (1):
“24. (1) (a) If any voter satisfies the presiding officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is otherwise so physically incapacitated that he is unable to vote without assistance, and he requests that his ballot paper shall be marked for him by a companion, then, subject to subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, the companion may mark the ballot paper for the voter (and paragraph (3) of this rule shall accordingly not apply) and shall place it so marked in the ballot box, and,
(b) For the purposes of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph—
(i) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by a personation agent shall, administer to the elector before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the following form:
‘I swear by Almighty God (or—do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm—as the case may be) that my sight is so impaired (or—that I am so physically incapacitated—as the case may be) that I am unable to vote without assistance’ and if the voter refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, the ballot paper shall not be marked for him under this rule;
(ii) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by an agent of a candidate, shall, put to the companion before delivery of the ballot paper, the following questions or any one or two of them:
(I) Have you attained the age of sixteen years?
(II) Have you marked as a companion more than one ballot paper at this referendum?
(III) Are you a personation agent at this referendum?
and unless the first question is answered in the affirmative and the other question or questions, as the case may be, is or are answered in the negative the companion shall not mark the ballot paper;
(iii) the presiding officer may, and, if requested by a personation agent, shall, administer to the companion before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the following form:
‘I swear by Almighty God (or—do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm—as the case may be) that I have attained the age of sixteen years and that I have not marked as a companion more than one ballot paper at this referendum and that I am not a personation agent thereat’ and if the companion refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, he shall not mark the ballot paper;
(c) If any voter satisfies the presiding officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is otherwise so physically incapacitated that he is unable to vote without assistance and either—
(i) he does not request that his ballot paper shall be marked for him by a companion, or
(ii) having so requested, the marking of his ballot paper by the companion would be in contravention of clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (b) of this paragraph,
the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the personation agents (if any) and no other person, cause the vote of the voter to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the voter and shall place the ballot paper so marked in the ballot box.
(d) For the purposes of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph, the presiding officer may, and, if requested by a personation agent, shall, administer to the voter before delivery of the ballot paper an oath (or, in the case of a person who objects to taking an oath on the ground that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief, an affirmation) in the form set out in clause (i) of subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, and if the voter refuses to take the oath or make the affirmation, the ballot paper shall not be marked for him under this rule.
(e) If any voter satisfies the presiding officer that he is so illiterate that he is unable to vote without assistance, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the personation agents (if any) and no other person, cause the vote of the voter to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by such voter and shall place the ballot paper so marked in the ballot box.”
(2) (a) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 18 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act (as amended by subsection (1) of this section) a person has marked as a companion two ballot papers, he shall not, at the same referendum, mark as a companion any other ballot paper.
(b) A person shall not, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 18 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act (as amended by subsection (1) of this section), mark as a companion a ballot paper at a referendum if he is a personation agent at that referendum.
(c) A person who contravenes paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
(3) Paragraph (2) of Rule 18 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after “under this rule” of “otherwise than by a companion”.
(4) Rule 13 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after “the personation agents (if any) appointed for his polling station,” of “companions of voters whose sight is so impaired or who are otherwise so physically incapacitated that they are unable to vote without assistance while such companions are assisting such electors”.
Part V.
Elections to Local Authorities.
Amendments relating to elections to local authorities.
17.—(1) Subsection (7) of section 41 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, is hereby amended by the insertion of “the 15th day of April next following” before “the last day of the qualifying period.”
(2) Subsection (1) of section 3 of the Local Government Electors Registration Act, 1924, is hereby amended by the substitution of “15th day of September” for “15th day of November.”
(3) Section 4 of the Local Government Electors Registration Act, 1924, shall have effect as if—
(i) the reference to Part 11 of the Electoral Act, 1923, were a reference to that Part inclusive of the section inserted by section 6 of this Act, and
(ii) paragraph (a) of subsection (1) were omitted.
(4) Subsection (1) of section 2 of the Local Government (Extension of Franchise) Act, 1935, is hereby amended by the addition of the following sentence: “For the purposes of this subsection a person's age shall be taken to be that person's age on the 15th day of April next following the relevant qualifying date.”
(5) The Third Schedule to the Local Government Act, 1941, is hereby amended by the insertion in the third column after “Parts I and II of the Fifth Schedule” of “(as amended by the Electoral Act, 1960) and also section 21 (as so amended) and the Fourth Schedule (as so amended)”.
(6) (a) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 24 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Electoral Act, 1923 (as amended by subsection (1) of section 10 of this Act and as applied by section 39 of the Local Government Act, 1941, and this section), a person has marked as a companion two ballot papers at an election, he shall not, at that election, mark as a companion any other ballot paper.
(b) A person shall not, pursuant to paragraph (1) of Rule 24 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Electoral Act, 1923 (as amended by subsection (1) of section 10 of this Act and as applied by section 39 of the Local Government Act, 1941, and this section), mark as a companion a ballot paper at an election if he is a candidate or agent of a candidate at that election.
(c) A person who contravenes paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
No. 12 of 1923. | Subsections (6) and (7) of section 1; section 5; the words “Every such list shall be made up according to polling districts”, in Rule 3 of the Rules contained in the First Schedule. | |
No. 21 of 1927. | Subsection (1) of section 3. | |
No. 6 of 1945. | ||
No. 18 of 1954. |