Off On Dualscroll
Turn Dualscroll on to scroll both language versions together.
Uimhir 29 de 1928.
ACHT TOGHACHÁIN AN tSEANAID, 1928.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí,
cialluíonn an focal “toghachán Seanaid” toghachán a comórfar do réir Airtiogal 32 den Bhunreacht chun baill do thogha chun Seanad Éireann,
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe ag an Aire le rialacháin a déanfar fén Acht so.
Ceann comhrimh Seanaid agus costaisí.
2.—(1) Chun críche gach toghacháin tSeanaid beidh ceann comhrimh Seanaid ann a cheapfidh an tAire do gach toghachán fé leith den tsórt san ar dháta nách déanaí ná an 13adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh an toghachán san.
(2) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid an toghachán dá gceapfar é do stiúra, na vótanna a tabharfar ann do chomhreamh agus a thora d'fháil amach agus d'fhógairt do réir an Achta so agus pé nithe agus rudaí eile do dhéanamh i dtaobh an toghacháin sin a cheanglann an tAcht so air do dhéanamh.
(3) Ullamhóidh an tAire Airgid scála d'éilithe maximum do chinn chomhrimh Sheanaid agus íocfidh an tAire sin le gach ceann comhrimh Seanaid, amach as an bPrímh-Chiste no as a thora fáis, a chuid éilithe réasúnta ar son a sheirbhísí agus a chostaisí maidir leis an toghachán dar ceapadh é ach ní bheidh na héilithe sin in aon chás níos mó ná na héilithe maximum a bheidh luaidhte sa scála san d'éilithe maximum a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire.
An tréimhse ina gcomórfar toghacháin tSeanaid.
3.—(1) Comórfar gach toghachán Seanaid i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 16adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh bheith caithte do théarma oifige na mball a bheidh ag dul as oifig ag an toghachán san agus dar críoch an lá a bheidh an téarma san caithte.
(2) Laistigh de cheithre lá déag roimh an 15adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh thoghachán tSeanaid ceapfidh an tAire le hordú—
(a) an lá (dá ngairmtear san Acht so lá tabhartha amach na bpáipéirí ballóide) a tabharfar amach agus a postálfar chun toghthóirí na páipéirí ballóide i gcóir an toghacháin sin, agus
(b) an lá agus an uair (dá ngairmtear san Acht so deire na vótaíochta) a cuirfar deire leis an vótaíocht sa toghachán san.
(3) Gach ordú a dhéanfidh an tAire fén bhfo-alt so foillseofar é san Iris Oifigiúil chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta.
Ainmliost d'iarrthóirí do chur le chéile.
4.—(1) Roimh gach toghachán Seanaid cuirfar le chéile do réir an Achta so ainmliost d'iarrthóirí don toghachán san.
(2) Chun crícheanna Airtiogal 32A den Bhunreacht isé lá a ceaptar do réir dlí chun críoch do chur le hainmliost d'iarrthóirí do chur le chéile do thoghachán tSeanaid ná an 13adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh an toghachán san no, más ar an Domhnach a thuitfidh an lá san no más lá saoire bainc é, an chéad lá nách Domhnach ná lá saoire bainc tar éis an 13adh lá san de Mhí na Samhna.
Ainmniúcháin chun ainmliosta d'iarrthóirí.
5.—(1) Ar no roimh an 13adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh thoghachán tSeanaid no, más ar an Domhnach a thuitfidh an lá san no más lá saoire bainc é, ar no roimh an gcéad lá nách Domhnach ná lá saoire bainc tar éis an 13adh lá san de Mhí na Samhna, déanfidh Dáil Éireann, agus iad ag vótáil do réir Ionaduíochta Cothromúla, oiread daoine cáilithe is bheidh de bhaill le togha sa toghachán san d'ainmniú chun a gcurtha ar an ainmliost d'iarrthóirí don toghachán san.
(2) Ar no roimh an 13adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh thoghachán tSeanaid no, más ar an Domhnach a thuitfidh an lá san no más lá saoire bainc é, ar no roimh an gcéad lá nách Domhnach ná lá saoire bainc tar éis an 13adh lá san de Mhí na Samhna, déanfidh Seanad Éireann, agus iad ag vótáil do réir Ionaduíochta Cothromúla, oiread daoine cáilithe is bheidh de bhaill le togha sa toghachán san d'ainmniú chun a gcurtha ar an ainmliost d'iarrthóirí don toghachán san.
(3) Socróidh Dáil Éireann agus Seanad Éireann fé seach an modh ina dtairgfar agus ina roghnófar daoine chun a n-ainmnithe ag Dáil Éireann agus ag Seanad Éireann fé seach fén alt so chun a gcurtha ar ainmliost d'iarrthóirí do thoghachán tSeanaid.
Ainmliost d'iarrthóirí d'ullamhú.
6.—(1) Ar dháta nách déanaí ná an 16adh lá de Mhí na Samhna roimh thoghachán tSeanaid seachadfidh Cléireach na Dála agus Cléireach an tSeanaid, gach duine acu ar leithligh, do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid, ráiteas ar ainmneacha, ar sheolta, ar thuairiscí, agus ar cháilíochtaí na ndaoine d'ainmnigh Dáil Éireann agus Seanad Éireann fé seach chun a gcurtha ar an ainmliost d'iarrthóirí don toghachán san.
(2) Chó luath is bheidh na ráitisí sin fachta aige ullamhóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid uatha an t-ainmliost d'iarrthóirí don toghachán san agus foillseoidh sé san Iris Oifigiúil é agus cuirfe sé cóip de tríd an bpost cláruithe go dtí gach ball de Dháil Éireann agus go dtí gach ball de Sheanad Éireann.
(3) Nuair a bheidh sé ag ullamhú ainmliosta d'iarrthóirí fén alt so déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ainmneacha na ndaoine uile a bheidh ainmnithe sna ráitisí sin a cuireadh chuige fén alt so do chur ar an ainmliost san d'ainneoin éinne de sna daoine sin do bheith tar éis bháis no do bheith gan bheith cáilithe no do bheith dí-cháilithe no tagtha chun bheith dí-cháilithe chun bheith ina bhall de Sheanad Éireann.
(4) Ar ainmliost d'iarrthóirí a ullamhóidh ceann comhrimh Seanaid fén alt so taisbeánfar, maidir le gach iarrthóir, a ainm, a sheola, a thuairisc, agus a cháilíochtaí mar a bheid curtha síos sa ráiteas a bhaineann leis an gcás agus a tugadh do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid fén alt so ach má bhíonn thar dachad focal in aon ráiteas den tsórt san ar cháilíochtaí ní cuirfar isteach san ainmliost an bhreis ar an dachad focal san.
(5) Más ar an Domhnach a thuitfidh, no más lá saoire bainc, an lá a bheidh fén alt so ina lá dheiridh chun aon rud do dhéanamh féadfar an rud san do dhéanamh an chéad lá ina dhiaidh sin nách Domhnach ná lá saoire bainc.
(6) San alt so cialluíonn an focal “cáilíochtaí” cáilíochtaí i gcóir ballraíochta de Sheanad Éireann fé Airtiogal 30 den Bhunreacht.
Ní bheidh dul thar ainmliost d'iarrthóirí.
7.—(1) Aon ainmliost d'iarrthóirí do thogachán tSeanaid a ullamhóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid fén Acht so ní bheidh dul thairis maidir le cé hiad na daoine is iarrthóirí sa toghachán san agus san d'ainneoin éinne de sna daoine sin do bheith marbh no do bheith gan bheith cáilithe no do bheith dí-cháilithe no tagtha chun bheith dí-cháilithe chun bheith ina bhall de Sheanad Éireann agus d'ainneoin aon neamh-fhuirmeáltachta no nearialtachta ina n-ainmniú.
(2) I gcomhreamh na vótanna do tugadh i dtoghachán Seanaid geobhfar thar gach rogha do breacadh d'iarrthóir 'na bhfuighidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid fógra roimh dheire na vótaíochta go bhfuil sé tar éis bháis (pe'ca roimh an ainmliost d'iarrthóiri do bheith curtha le chéile é no ina dhiaidh sin) agus ina ionad san tabharfar áird ar na céad roghna eile ar fáil.
(3) Tuairisceofar na hiarrthóirí seo a leanas i dtoghachán Seanaid do bheith toghtha sa toghachán san má toghtar amhlaidh iad agus (gan dochar do chomhacht cúirte údaráis achmair a dhearbhú go bhfuil a dtogha gan brí) tuigfar iad do bheith toghtha go cuibhe amhlaidh agus iad d'fhágaint a suíochán díreach tar éis tosach a dtéarma oifige, sé sin le rá:—
(a) gach iarrthóir toghtha a éagfidh roimh thosach a théarma oifige pe'ca roimh an toghachán no le n-a linn no dá éis a éagfa sé amhlaidh,
(b) gach iarrthóir toghtha ná beidh, i ndeire na vótaíochta, cáilithe chun bheith ina bhall de Sheanad Éireann pe'ca thiocfa sé chun bheith cáilithe amhlaidh roimh thosach a théarma oifige no ná tiocfidh,
(c) gach iarrthóir toghtha a bheidh, i dtosach a théarma oifige, dí-cháilithe chun bheith ina bhall de Sheanad Éireann pe'ca roimh an toghachán no le n-a linn no dá éis a tháinig sé chun bheith dí-cháilithe amhlaidh.
Rolla de thoghthóirí d'ullamhú.
8.—(1) Trí lá ar a laighead roimh an lá a bheidh ceaptha chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach i dtoghachán Seanaid tabharfidh Cléireach na Dála do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid ráiteas ar ainmneacha agus ar sheolta ball Dáil Éireann agus tabharfidh Cléireach an tSeanaid do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid ráiteas ar ainmneacha agus ar sheolta ball Seanad Éireann.
(2) Isiad seolta ball Dáil Éireann agus ball Seanad Éireann a tabharfar sna ráitisí sin ná a ngnáth-sheolta ach má thugann aon bhall den tsórt san do Chléireach na Dála no do Chléireach an tSeanaid (pe'ca aca is gá sa chás) seola speisialta chun críche an ráitis sin isé an seola speisialta san a tabharfar sa ráiteas san in ionad gnáth-sheola an bhaill sin.
(3) Ar fháil na ráitisí sin do ar ainmneacha agus ar sheolta ball Dáil Éireann agus ball Seanad Éireann ullamhóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid rolla de thoghthóirí agus déanfa sé na hainmneacha agus na seolta uile a bheidh sna ráitisí sin do chur in ord aibítre sloinnte agus, i gcásanna có-ionannas sloinnte, in ord aibítre ainmneacha eile, agus uimhreoidh sé na hainmneacha san in ord leanúnach ar an rolla san de thoghthóirí.
(4) Déanfar gach rolla de thoghthóirí a hullamhófar fén alt so do chimeád ar nochta chun a iniúchta in aisce in oifig cheann comhrimh an tSeanaid ag aon bhall de Dháil Éireann no de Sheanad Éireann, go dtí deire na vótaíochta sa toghachán le n-a mbaineann an rolla.
(5) Ní bheidh aon dul thar aon rolla de thoghthóirí a hullamhófar fén alt so agus ní fhéadfidh aon Chúirt aon rolla den tsórt san d'ath-bhreithniú agus na daoine go mbeidh a n-ainmneacha ar rolla de thoghthóirí beidh siad-san agus ní bheidh aon daoine eile i dteideal chun vótáil sa toghachán le n-a mbaineann an rolla.
Modh vótála.
9.—(1) Is do réir ionaduíochta cothromúla a déanfar an vótáil i dtoghachán Seanaid agus aon vóta ionaistrithe amháin a bheidh ag gach toghthóir fé leith agus is le ballóid a tabharfar é.
(2) I dtoghachán Seanaid isé a bheidh mar bhallóid ag gach vótálaí fé leith ná páipeur (dá ngairmtear páipeur ballóide san Acht so) ar a mbeidh liost de sna hiarrthóirí agus iad tuairiscithe tré n-a n-ainmneacha, tré n-a seolta, agus tré n-a dtuairiscí mar a bheidh na nithe sin curtha síos san ainmliost de thoghthóirí don toghachán san agus iad in eagar aibítre in ord a sloinnte agus, i gcás có-ionannas sloinnte, in ord a n-ainmneacha eile agus iad in aon cholún leanúnach amháin no i pé slí eile (gan an t-ord aibítre sin do thréigean) is dó leis an Aire is mó a raghaidh chun marcáil agus comhreamh do chur in usacht.
(3) Is sa bhfuirm orduithe a bheidh na páipéirí ballóide agus beidh uimhir clóbhuailte ar chúl gach páipéir bhallóide agus beidh có-dhuille ceangailte dhe agus an uimhir chéanna clóbhuailte ar a aghaidh agus le linn a thabhartha amach marcálfar gach páipeur ballóide ar a dhá thaobh le marc oifigiúil stampálta no pollta.
(4) Clóbhuailfar sloinne gach iarrthóra ar na páipéirí ballóide i leitreacha móra agus clóbhuailfar a n-ainmneacha eile agus a seolta agus a dtuairiscí i leitreacha beaga ach pé uair a bheidh sloinnte beirt no níos mó iarrthóirí mar a chéile clóbhuailfar i leitreacha móra (i dteanta a sloinnte) ainmneacha eile na n-iarrthóir sin agus oiread de sheola no de thuairisc gach iarrthóra den tsórt san no dá sheola agus dá thuairisc agus a chuirfidh an t-iarrthóir sin in aithne go héifeachtúil dar le ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid.
Modh chun vótanna do mharcáil ar pháipéirí ballóide.
10.—(1) Ní foláir do thoghthóir, agus é ag tabhairt a vóta, an figiúir 1 do chur ar a pháipeur ballóide os coinne ainm an iarrthóra le n-a mbeidh sé ag vótáil agus féadfa sé ina theanta san na figiúirí 2 agus 3, no 2, 3, agus 4 agus mar sin de do chur ar a pháipeur ballóide os coinne ainmneacha iarrthóirí eile in ordú a rogha.
(2) Aon pháipeur ballóide—
(a) ná beidh an marc oifigiúil air, no
(b) ná beidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céad-rogha d'iarrthóir éigin, curtha air, no
(c) ar a mbeidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céadrogha, os coinne ainm níos mó ná aon iarrthóir amháin, no
(d) ar a mbeidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céadrogha, maraon le huimhir éigin eile os coinne ainm an aon iarrthóra amháin, no
(e) ar a mbeidh scríobhtha na marcálta éinní, ach an uimhir ar an gcúl, tré n-ar féidir an vótálaí d'aithint,
beidh sé gan brí agus ní comhreofar é.
Páipéirí ballóide do chur chun toghthóirí.
11.—(1) An lá a bheidh ceaptha chun páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán Seanaid do thabhairt amach déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid páipeur ballóide maraon le fuirm dhearbhú céannachta do chur tríd an bpost cláruithe chun gach duine go mbeidh a ainm ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghachán san ag an seola a bheidh luaidhte ar an rolla san.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfidh duine gur cheart páipeur ballóide do thoghachán tSeanaid do chur chuige fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo a chur in úil i scríbhinn do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid go bhfuil breis is ceithre huaire fichead a' chluig imithe ón am ba cheart an páipeur ballóide sin do sheachada dho i ngnáth-chúrsa an phuist agus ná fuair sé an páipeur ballóide sin agus gur mian leis go dtabharfí amach do páipeur ballóide dúbláide agus dearbhú céannachta dúbláide, déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid láithreach, má fhaghann sé an ráiteas san ocht n-uaire is dachad a' chluig ar a laighead roimh dheire na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, no féadfa sé, má fhaghann sé an ráiteas san níos lú ná ocht n-uaire is dachad a' chluig roimh dheire na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, páipeur ballóide agus fuirm dhearbhú céannachta do chur tríd an bpost cláruithe chun an duine sin ag an seola a luaidhtear so bhfo-alt san roimhe seo, páipeur agus fuirm go mbeidh sé soiléir, tré n-a mbeith clóbhuailte ar pháipeur de dhath fé leith no ar shlí éigin eile, gur dúbláidí iad den pháipeur bhallóide agus den fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta do cuireadh ar dtúis chun an duine sin fén alt so.
(3) Is sa bhfuirm orduithe a bheidh gach dearbhú céannachta agus beidh sé saor o dhiúité stampa agus beidh sé ina dhearbhú reachtúil fén Statutory Declarations Act, 1835, agus más i Saorstát Éireann a déanfar é, déanfar é i láthair feadhmannaigh shíochána, coimisineura mhionn, no nótaire phuiblí ag a bhfuil aithne phearsanta ar an dearbhthóir agus, más lasmuich de Shaorstát Éireann a déanfar é, déanfar é i láthair duine ag a bhfuil aithne phearsanta ar an dearbhthóir agus 'na mbeidh údarás aige, do réir dlí na háite ina ndéanfar é, daoine do chur fé mhionn.
(4) Gach éinne a bheidh i dteideal chun vótáil i dtoghachán Seanaid beidh sé i dteideal chun vótáil sa toghachán san sa tslí seo a leanas agus ní hin aon tslí eile, sé sin le rá, tré pháipeur bhallóide do cuireadh chuige fén alt so do mharcáil agus do chur thar n-ais go dtí ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid tríd an bpost cláruithe no tríd an ngnáth-phost maraon leis an bhfuirm dhearbhú céannachta do cuireadh chuige sa tslí chéanna i dteanta an pháipéir sin agus an dearbhú san déanta agus críochnuithe go cuibhe aige.
(5) Pé uair a dhéanfidh duine a bheidh i dteideal chun vótáil i dtoghachán Seanaid a chur in úil i scríbhinn do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid gur dhin sé go cuibhe páipeur ballóide agus fuirm dhearbhú céannachta do cuireadh chuige fén alt so do chur thar n-ais go dtí ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid tríd an bpost cláruithe agus go ndeabhruíonn sé nár seachadadh do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid iad agus gur mian leis go dtabharfí amach do páipeur ballóide dúbláide agus dearbhú céannachta dúbláide déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid láithreach, má fhaghann sé an ráiteas san ocht n-uaire is dachad a' chluig ar a laighead roimh dheire na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, no féadfa sé, má fhaghann sé an ráiteas san níos lú ná ocht n-uaire is dachad a' chluig roimh dheire na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, páipeur ballóide agus fuirm dhearbhú céannachta do chur tríd an bpost cláruithe chun an duine sin ag an seola a luaidhtear sa chéad fho-alt den alt so, páipeur agus fuirm go mbeidh sé soiléir, tré n-a mbeith clóbhuailte ar pháipeur de dhath fé leith no ar shlí éigin eile, gur dúbláidí iad den pháipeur bhallóide agus den fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta do cuireadh ar dtúis chun an duine sin fén alt so.
(6) Ag cur amach agus ag fáil na bpáipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán Seanaid agus ag deighleáil leo ar aon tslí eile dho déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid do réir na rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
Tora na vótaíochta do do dhéanamh amach.
12.—(1) Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi aige air tar éis deire na vótaíochtá déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid amach tora an toghacháin, i láthair pé iarrthóirí a bheidh i láthair, do réir an Achta so agus go sonnrách do réir na Rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal agus sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so agus fógróidh sé na hiarrthóirí sin do beith toghtha 'na ndéanfar amach amhlaidh iad do bheith toghtha agus tuairisceoidh sé a n-ainmneacha do Chléireach na Dála agus do Chléireach an tSeanaid.
(2) An bhreith a thabharfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ar aon cheist a eireoidh i dtaobh na bpáipéirí ballóide, na ndearbhuithe céannachta no na gclúdach ina mbeid no ar éinní eile a eireoidh i dtaobh na vótanna do thabhairt amach, d'fháil no do chomhreamh, beidh sí ina breith dheiridh ach féadfidh Cúirt a thriailfidh achuinghe thoghacháin a bhaineann leis an toghachán claochló do dhéanamh uirthi.
Rún do chimeád ar an vótáil.
13.—(1) Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid agus gach oifigeach agus cléireach go mbeidh baint acu le páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, d'fháil, no do chomhreamh i dtoghachán Seanaid agus gach iarrthóir a bheidh i láthair agus na páipéirí sin á dtabhairt amach, á bhfáil, no á gcomhreamh, rún do chimeád agus cabhrú chun rún do chimeád ar an vótáil sa toghachán san agus, roimh chríochnú an toghacháin, ní thabharfid uatha, ach amháin chun críche éigin le n-a mbeidh údarás dlí, aon eolas ar ce'ca vótáil aon toghthóir sa toghachán san no nár vótáil, ná ar an marc oifigiúil, agus ní thabharfid d'éinne aon uair aon eolas, do fuarthas le linn no i gcúrsaí na tabhartha-amach, na fála, no an chomhrimh sin, ar ce'ca iarrthóir le n-ar vótáil aon toghthóir ná ar ce'ca vótáil aon toghthóir no nár vótáil ná ar an uimhir ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide do cuireadh chun aon toghthóra.
(2) Ní dhéanfidh éinne cur isteach ná iarracht ar chur isteach ar aon toghthóir i dtoghachán Seanaid d'fháil no do mharcáil a pháipéir bhallóide no do chur an pháipéir sin thar n-ais.
(3) Ní dhéanfidh éinne go díreach ná go nea-dhíreach tabhairt ar aon toghthóir i dtoghachán Seanaid a pháipeur ballóide do thaisbeáint, tar éis a mharcála dho, i slí is go nochtfí don duine sin no d'éinne eile ainm an iarrthóra 'nar mharcáil sé a vóta leis ar an bpáipeur ballóide sin.
(4) Gach éinne a ghníomhóidh contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar é chur fé phríosúntacht, i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre, ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná sé mhí.
Achuingheacha toghacháin i dtaobh toghachán Seanaid.
14.—(1) Na hachtacháin a bhaineann le tíolaca agus le triail achuingheacha toghacháin i dtaobh toghachán ball de Dháil Éireann bainfid le toghacháin tSeanaid ach na hatharuithe seo a leanas do dhéanamh ortha, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an chúirt a bheidh ag triail achuinghe toghacháin i dtaobh toghacháin tSeanaíd ní bheidh comhacht aici a dhearbhú go bhfuil an toghachán iomlán gan brí, ach féadfa sí a dhearbhú, i dtaobh togha aon duine no daoine de sna hiarrthóirí do tuairiscíodh a bheith toghtha sa toghachán, go bhfuil sé gan brí no go bhfuil sé dleathach pe'ca aca is gá do réir chirt,
(b) má dhearbhuíonn an chúirt sin amhlaidh togha iarrthóra do bheith gan brí, dearbhóidh an chúirt gur toghadh pé duine is gá do réir chirt a thogha de sna hiarrthóirí nár tuairiscíodh a bheith toghtha,
(c) beidh comhacht ag an gcúirt sin a shocrú agus a dhearbhú cadé an t-ord in ar toghadh na hiarrthóirí do toghadh sa toghachán (pe'ca a tuairiscíodh iad do bheith toghtha amhlaidh no a shocruigh an chúirt iad do bheith toghtha amhlaidh),
(d) beidh comhacht ag an gcúirt sin leasuithe do dhéanamh ar dheimhniú cheann comhrimh an tSeanaid ar thora an toghacháin fé mar is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt dá breitheanna,
(e) léireofar tagairtí don House of Commons mar thagairtí do Sheanad Éireann agus léireofar tagairtí do Speaker of the House of Commons mar thagairtí do Chathaoirleach Sheanaid Éireann.
(2) In aon imeachta dlí chun togha no tuairisciú aon iarrthóra i dtoghachán Seanaid do chur in amhrus ní ceanglófar ar éinne a vótáil sa toghachán san a rá cé leis gur vótáil sé.
Nea-chólíona rialacha.
15.—Ní dearbhófar aon togha iarrthóra i dtoghachán Seanaid do bheith gan brí de bhíthin nea-chólíona na rialacha atá in aon Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so ná de bhíthin aon dearmhaid in úsáid na bhfuirm a hordófar fén Acht so agus dá bhíthin sin amháin, má chítar don bhinse 'na mbeidh an cheist os a chóir gur stiúradh an toghachán do réir an bprinsiobal atá curtha síos i gcorp an Achta so, agus nár dhin an nea-chólíona no an dearmhad san deifir do thora an toghacháin.
Seirbhísí Puist in aisce.
16.—Na seirbhísí puist go léir (ar a n-áirítear na seirbhísí clárathachta go léir) a bheidh ar fad laistigh de Shaorstát Éireann agus a bhainfidh le páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán Seanaid do thabhairt amach agus do chur thar n-ais, déanfidh an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa iad gan na héilithe ar a son do roimh-íoc leis agus tuigfar gur cuid de chostaisí cheann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach éileamh den tsórt san agus íocfar é dá réir sin.
An tAcht Timpeal Toghachán, 1923, do leasú.
17.—(1) An méid d'alt 11 den Acht Timpeal Toghachán, 1923 (Uimh 12 de 1923), agus den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht san, le n-a n-achtuítear go mbeidh sa chlár bhliantúil a cuirfar le chéile fén alt agus fén sceideal san ainmneacha na ndaoine a bheidh i dteideal chun vótáil mar thoghthóirí Seanaid no chun a gcláruithe amhlaidh, scuirfe sé d'éifeacht do bheith aige.
(2) Déanfar fo-alt (1) d'alt 57 den Acht Timpeal Toghachán, 1923, do léiriú agus beidh éifeacht aige fé is dá ndintí na focail “triocha bliain d'aois no os a chionn san” do chur isteach ann in ionad na bhfocal agus na bhfigiúirí“35 bliana d'aois no os a chionn san” atá anois ann.
(3) San Acht Timpeal Toghachán, 1923, nuair a dintar an focal “toghachán” agus focail atá gaolmhar leis d'úsáid leo féin ní fholóid toghachán Seanaid ná ní léireofar iad mar fhocail a bhaineann le toghachán Seanaid (ach amháin i gCuid VII. (a bhaineann le ballraíocht Sheanaid Éireann) den Acht san).
Rialacháin.
18.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh ag ordú éinní no aon ruda dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no le hordú.
(2) Gach rialachán a dhéanfidh an tAire fén alt so leagfar é fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta, agus má dhineann ceachtar Tigh den Oireachtas, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuidhfidh an Tigh sin tar éis an rialachán san do bheith leagtha fé n-a bhráid, rún do rith ag cur an rialacháin sin ar nea-mbrí, beidh an rialachán san curtha ar nea-mbrí dá réir sin ach beidh san gan dochar do dhleathacht éinní do dineadh fé roimhe sin.
Athghairmeanna.
19.—Dintar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaidhtear sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so d'athghairm sa mhéid a luaidhtear sa tríú colún den Sceideal san.
Gearr-theideal.
20.—Féadfar Acht Toghacháin an tSeanaid, 1928, do ghairm den Acht so.
CEAD SCEIDEAL.
Toghachan do Stiura.
1. Ar an lá chun páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán Seanaid do thabhairt amach déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid, sa tslí a horduítear sna rialacha so a leanas, páipeur ballóide do thabhairt amach do gach toghthóir a bheidh ainmnithe ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghachán san.
2. Beidh gach iarrthóir i dtoghachán Seanaid i dteideal bheith i láthair agus páipéirí ballóide i gcóir an toghacháin sin á dtabhairt amach agus ar a iarraidh sin áir d'aon iarrthóir den tsórt san cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid in úil don iarrthóir sin an t-am agus an áit ina dtabharfar na páipéirí ballóide sin amach.
3. Ní bheidh éinne i láthair agus páipéirí ballóide á dtabhairt amach ach ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid agus a chongantóirí, pé daoine de sna hiarrthóirí a thogróidh bheith i láthair, agus pé daoine eile (más ann dóibh) dá gceadóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid bheith i láthair amhlaidh.
4. Tabharfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach páipeur ballóide amach tré sna nithe seo a leanas do dhéanamh no a chur fé ndeár iad do dhéanamh ar an ord so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) glaofar amach uimhir, ainm, agus tuairisc an toghthóra dá mbeidh an páipeur ballóide le tabhairt amach fé mar a bheid curtha síos ar an rolla de thoghthóirí,
(b) marcálfar uimhir sin an toghthóra ar chó-dhuille an pháipéir bhallóide,
(c) cuirfar marc ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, os coinne uimhir an toghthóra, chun a thaisbeáint gur tugadh amach páipeur ballóide don toghthóir sin ach ní nochtfar cadé an páipeur ballóide é,
(d) marcálfar an páipeur ballóide ar a dhá thaobh leis an marc oifigiúil,
(e) marcálfar ar fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta agus ar chlúdach pháipéir bhallóide an uimhir a bheidh ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide,
(f) cuirfar i gclúdach (dá ngairmtear an forchlúdach anso ina dhiaidh seo) a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe agus a bheidh fé sheola an toghthóra fé mar a bheidh an seola san curtha síos ar an rolla de thoghthóirí na scríbhinní seo a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(i) an páipeur ballóide sin, agus
(ii) an fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta san, agus
(iii) clúdach (dá ngairmtear an clúdach clúdacháin anso ina dhiaidh seo) sa bhfuirm orduithe agus é fé sheola ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid, agus
(iv) clúdach is lú ná san (dá ngairmtear clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide anso ina dhiaidh seo) 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 páipcur ballóide a bheidh le tabhairt amach, baileofar, comhreofar, agus postálfar na forchlúdaigh dhúnta san go léir.
5. Ar fháil gach iarratais do le n-a n-iarrfar páipeur ballóide dúbláide do thabhairt amach cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid i gcúl-scríbhinn air an lá agus an uair a fuair sé é agus uimhir leanúnach, agus gach páipeur ballóide dúbláide a tabharfar amach do réir aon iarratais den tsórt san tabharfar amach é do réir forálacha na rialach san roimhe seo sa mhéid go mbainid leis an gcás ach amháin go marcálfar ar chó-dhuille an pháipéir bhallóide sin, in ionad na huimhreach a bheidh ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, an uimhir leanúnach do cuireadh i gcúl-scríbhinn ar an iarratas 'na dtabharfar amach an páipeur ballóide sin dá réir agus, nuair a bheidh an páipeur ballóide sin tabhartha amach, go ndeighléalfar leis an iarratas san fé mar is gá, do réir na rialacha so, deighleáil leis an gcóip mharcálta den rolla de thoghthóirí.
6. Postálfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid na forchlúdaigh dhúnta san tré n-a seachada don cheann-oifig phuist is goire dho, no do pé oifig eile ar a socrófar leis an gceann-mháistir puist, agus stampálfidh an máistir puist san oifig sin, leis an dát-stampa post-oifige, fuirm admhála a thíolacfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid agus ina mbeidh an méid clúdach do seachadadh amhlaidh luaidhte, agus cuirfe sé na clúdaigh sin ar aghaidh láithreach tríd an bpost cláruithe chun a seachadtha do sna daoine go mbeidh a seolta ortha.
7. Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tabhairt-amach na bpáipéirí ballóide do bheith críochnuithe agus i bhfianaise na n-iarrthóirí a bheidh i láthair déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid 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 pé daoine de sna hiarrthóirí a thogróidh a séalaí do chur ortha.
8. Cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid bosca ballóide ar fáil, ar a mbeidh “Bosca ballóide an tSeanaid” marcálta, chun na clúdaigh chlúdacháin do chur isteach ann nuair a chuirfidh na vótálaithe thar n-ais iad, agus ar thabhairt-amach na bpáipéirí ballóide do bheith críochnuithe taisbeánfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid an bosca ballóide sin, ar oscailt agus folamh, do sna hiarrthóirí (más ann dóibh) a bheidh i láthair, agus séalóidh sé an bosca ballóide sin le n-a shéala agus déanfa sé socrú chun an bosca ballóide sin do chimeád slán sábhálta.
9. Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid láithreach gach clúdach clúdacháin a gheobha sé roimh dheire na vótaíochta do chur isteach, gan oscailt, i mbosca ballóide an tSeanaid agus déanfa sé gach clúdach clúdacháin a gheobha sé tar éis deire na vótaíochta do chur isteach, gan oscailt, i bpacáiste ar leithligh fé shéala agus déanfa sé fós gach forchlúdach do cuireadh thar n-ais chuige mar rud nár seachadadh do chur isteach, gan oscailt, i bpacáiste ar leithligh fé shéala.
10. Trí lá ar a laighead roimh dheire na vótaíochta cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid tríd an bpost chun gach iarrthóra, ag á sheola mar a bheidh sé curtha síos ar an ainmliost d'iarrthóirí, fogra i scríbhinn i dtaobh an ama agus na háite ina n-osclóidh sé bosca ballóide an tSeanaid agus ina gcomhreoidh sé na vótanna.
11. Chó luath is bheidh caoi aige air tar éis deire na vótaíochta osclóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid bosca ballóide an tSeanaid agus comhreoidh sé na vótanna.
12. Ní bheidh éinne i láthair agus bosca ballóide an tSeanaid á oscailt no na vótanna á gcomhreamh ach ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid agus a chongantóirí, pé daoine de sna hiarrthóirí a thogróidh bheith i láthair, agus pé daoine eile (más ann dóibh) dá gceadóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid bheith i láthair amhlaidh.
13. Nuair a beifear tar éis bosca ballóide an tSeanaid d'oscailt déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid na nithe seo a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na clúdaigh chlúdacháin uile do thógaint amach as bosca ballóide an tSeanaid agus iad do chomhreamh agus a líon do nótáil,
(b) gach clúdach clúdacháin acu san d'oscailt agus aon chlúdaigh acu san ina mbeidh dearbhú céannachta do tugadh amach mar fhuirm dhearbhú chéannachta dhúbláide do dheighilt amach,
(c) gach ceann fé leith de sna clúdaigh chlúdacháin sin nár deighleadh amach amhlaidh do thógaint suas ar leithligh, an dearbhú céannachta ann do scrúdú agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú san do chur i gcó-mheas leis an uimhir ar chlúdach an pháipéir bhallóide sa chlúdach chlúdacháin sin,
(d) más mar a chéile na huimhreacha san agus go bhfuighfar an dearbhú céannachta do bheith críochnuithe agus déanta go cuibhe, cuirfe sé an dearbhú céannachta agus clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide i dhá gcimeádán ar leithligh,
(e) maran deimhin leis an dearbhú céannachta do bheith críochnuithe agus déanta go cuibhe cuirfe sé “diúltuíodh don vóta” i gcúl-scríbhinn 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 páipeur ballóide dhe,
(f) má fhaghann sé nách 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 bpáipeur ballóide agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta cuirfe sé an páipeur ballóide sa chimeádán speisialta a chuir sé ar fáil i gcóir páipéirí ballóide,
(g) maran mar a chéile an uimhir ar an bpáipeur ballóide agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta, cuirfe sé an páipeur ballóide thar n-ais ina chlúdach, más ann do, ceanglóidh sé an clúdach no an páipeur ballóide sin (pe'ca aca é) den dearbhú chéannachta, agus cuirfe sé “diúltuíodh don vóta” i gcúl-scríbhinn ar an dearbhú céannachta,
(h) má dheabhruíonn sé ná fuil dearbhú céannachta i dteanta chlúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, osclóidh sé clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, agus má fachtar an dearbhú céannachta do bheith ann deighleálfa sé leis an dearbhú agus leis an bpáipeur ballóide sin do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den riail seo,
(i) marcálfa sé leis an bhfocal “diúltuithe” gach dearbhú ná beidh páipeur ballóide ina theanta, agus gach páipeur ballóide ná beidh dearbhú céannachta ina theanta,
(j) nuair a bheidh deighleálta fé sna forálacha san roimhe seo den riail seo leis na clúdaigh chlúdacháin sin uile nár deighleadh amach amhlaidh, tógfa sé suas ar leithligh gach ceann fé leith de sna clúdaigh chlúdacháin sin do deighleadh amach toisc dearbhú céannachta do bheith ann do tugadh amach mar fhuirm dhearbhú chéannachta dhúbláide, scrúdóidh sé an dearbhú céannachta a bheidh ann (dá ngairmtear an dearbhú dúbláide anso ina dhiaidh seo) agus déanfa sé amach ce'ca scrúduíodh dearbhú céannachta i dtaobh an duine chéanna fén riail cheana no nár scrúduíodh,
(k) má scrúduíodh dearbhú céannachta i dtaobh an duine chéanna fén riail seo cheana marcálfa sé “diúltuíodh don vóta” ar an dearbhú dúbláide 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 páipeur ballóide dhe,
(l) marar scrúduíodh dearbhú céannachta i dtaobh an duine chéanna fén riail seo cheana deighleálfa sé leis an dearbhú dúbláide agus fós le clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide agus leis an bpáipeur ballóide a bheidh ina theanta do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den riail seo lasmuich den dá mhír dheiridh roimhe seo dhi.
14. Más in éineacht a gheobhfar páipeur ballóide agus dearbhú céannachta agus gur mar a chéile na huimhreacha ortha, ní diúltófar don pháipeur bhallóide mara mbeidh de chúis leis sin do dhéanamh ach go raibh an páipeur 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.
15. Taisbeánfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid do sna hiarrthóirí a bheidh i láthair aon dearbhú céannachta 'na mbeidh sé chun diúltú dho ar an scór nár críochnuíodh agus nár dineadh sa cheart é agus má chuireann aon iarrthóir acu san i gcoinnibh na breithe sin uaidh cuirfe sé leis an gcúl-scríbhinn na focail “cuireadh i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe”.
16. Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid na dearbhuithe uile dá ndiúltófar, maraon leis na clúdaigh no leis na páipéirí ballóide, pe'ca aca é, a bheidh ceangailte dhíobh, do chimeád ar deighilt o scríbhinní eile.
17. Nuair a beifear tar éis na clúdaigh chlúdacháin uile i mbosca ballóide an tSeanaid d'oscailt agus a bheidh deighleálta fé sna rialacha san roimhe seo le n-a mbeidh ionta, osclóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach clúdach páipéir bhallóide ná beidh oscailte agus cuirfe sé an uimhir ar an gclúdach i gcó-mheas leis an uimhir ar an bpáipeur ballóide agus más mar a cheile na huimhreacha cuirfe sé an páipeur ballóide isteach sa chimeádán speisialta do chuir sé ar fáil i gcóir páipéirí ballóide ach maran mar a chéile na huimhreacha marcálfa sé “diúltuithe” ar an bpáipeur ballóide agus ceanglóidh sé den chlúdach é.
18. Chó luath agus bheidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid tar éis na bpápéirí ballóide do chur isteach sa chimeádán speisialta san cuirfe sé isteach i bpacáidí ar leithligh fé shéala (1) na dearbhuithe céannachta do 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, raghaidh leo na clúdaigh (más ann dóibh) a bheidh ceangailte dhíobh.
19. Nuair a bheidh na rialacha san roimhe seo cólíonta ag ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid meascfa sé go maith ar a chéile na páipéirí ballóide a bheidh sa chimeádán speisialta san agus ansan tógfa sé na páipéirí ballóide sin amach as an gcimeádán speisialta san, comhreoidh sé iad agus déanfa sé a líon do nótáil agus ansan comhreoidh sé, do réir na rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, na vótanna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide sin.
20. Cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid “diúltuithe” i gcúlscríbhinn ar aon pháipeur ballóide dá ndiúltóidh sé mar pháipeur gan brí agus má chuireann aon iarrthóir i gcoinnibh na breithe sin uaidh le n-ar dhiúltuigh sé don pháipeur bhallóide cuirfe sé leis an gcúl-scríbhinn sin “cuireadh i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe”.
21. Sa mhéid gur féidir é déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid na himeachta fén Sceideal so tar éis oscailt bhosca bhallóide an tSeanaid agus fós comhreamh na vótanna do chimeád ar siúl gan sos ach féadfa sé aon uair na himeachta no an comhreamh san do chur ar fiunraoi go ceann pé tréimhse is ceart, dar leis, chun bia do thógaint no i gcóir na hoíche no ar aon reásún eile is leor, dar leis, agus pé uair a chuirfe sé na himeachta san no an comhreamh san ar fiunraoi amhlaidh déanfa sé gach ní is ceart chun na páipéirí ballóide, na clúdaigh, na vótanna, agus na scríbhinní eile a bhaineann leis an toghachán do chur ar láimh shábhála.
22. Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid agus gach éinne dá chongantóirí a thógfidh páirt in aon cheann de sna himeachta fén Sceideal so no i gcomhreamh na vótanna agus gach iarrthóir a bheidh i láthair le linn aon imeachta dhíobh san no le linn an chomhrimh sin geallúint sa bhfuirm orduithe do shighniú, sara dtógfid páirt amhlaidh no sara mbeid i láthair amhlaidh, go gcimeádfid rún ar an vótáil.
23. Chó luath agus bheidh comhreamh na vótanna críochnuithe ullamhóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ar dubláid, sa bhfuirm orduithe, deimhniú ina luadhfar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí do toghadh, an t-ord ar ar toghadh iad, líon iomlán na vótanna do tugadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith (pe'ca toghadh é no nár toghadh), gach aistriú vótanna do dineadh fén Acht so agus an líon iomlán de vótanna do bhí i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith i ndeire an chomhrimh in ar dineadh gach aistriú fé leith den tsórt san, agus pé nithe eile a hordófar, agus sighneoidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid an deimhniú dúbláide sin ansan agus cuirfe sé ceann de sna dúbláidí sin go dtí Cléireach na Dála agus an ceann eile go dtí Cléireach an tSeanaid.
24. Ullamhóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid, leis, agus foillseoidh sé san Iris Oifigiúil, cuntas sa bhfuirm orduithe ar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí do toghadh agus ar an ord ar ar toghadh iad.
25. Ar chríochnú chomhreamh na vótanna dho cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid isteach i bpacáidí ar leithligh fé shéala na páipéirí ballóide comhrithe agus na páipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh mar pháipéirí gan brí.
26. Coinneoidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid go ceann sé mí o dheire na vótaíochta 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 deire na vótaíochta, 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 brí, agus i gcionn na tréimhse sin de shé mhí dítheoidh sé na pacáidí séaluithe sin go léir mara mbeidh a mhalairt orduithe ag binse toghacháin.
27. Ní leigfar d'éinne iniúcha do dhéanamh ar aon cheann de sna pacáidí séaluithe sin a choinneoidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ná ar éinní dá mbeidh ionta ach amháin fé ordú bhinse thoghacháin agus dá réir sin.
28. Féadfidh binse toghacháin a údarú d'éinne iniúcha 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 tabharfar aire ná déanfar an tslí in ar vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe d'fháil amach go dtí go mbeidh cruthuithe chun sástachta binse thoghacháin gur vótáil an toghthóir sin agus go mbeidh dearbhuithe ag an mbinse sin a vóta do bheith gan brí.
29. Cólíonfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach ordú a dhéanfidh binse toghacháin i dtaobh iniúcha agus taisbeáint na bpacáidí séaluithe sin agus i dtaobh cad déanfar leo.
30. Má orduíonn binse toghacháin do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid aon scríbhinn no pacáid scríbhinní ina sheilbh a bhaineann le toghachán áirithe do thabhairt i láthair agus má dhineann ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid an scríbhinn no an phacáid scríbhinní sin do thabhairt i láthair do réir an orduithe sin beidh an tabhairt-i-láthair 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 ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid do réir an Sceidil seo ar aon scríbhinn no pacáid scríbhinní den tsórt san beidh sí ina fianaise dho-chlaoite air gurb é ní an scríbhinn no an phacáid sin ná an ní adeirtar sa chúlscríbhinn sin isea í.
31. Má dhineann ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid páipeur ballóide do thabhairt i láthair a thabharfidh 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 tabhairt-i-láthair sin ina fianaise prima facie gurb éinne amháin an té do vótáil leis an bpáipeur ballóide sin agus an té gur mar a chéile a uimhir ar an rolla de thoghthóirí a bhaineann leis an toghachán san agus an uimhir a bheidh marcálta ar an gcó-dhuille sin amhlaidh.
32. Pé uair is gá do cheann chomhrimh an tSeanaid, do réir an Sceidil seo, aon scríbhinní do chur i bpacáid ar leithligh fé shéala cuirfe sé i gcúl-scríbhinn ar an bpacáid sin ráiteas ar líon agus ar chineál na scríbhinní sin agus ar an toghachán le n-a mbainid.
33. Sa Sceideal so cialluíonn an focal “binse toghacháin” cúirt ag á mbeidh údarás go dleathach deighleáil le hachuingheacha ag gearán mar gheall ar thuairisciú nea-chuibhe no ar thogha nea-chuibhe i dtoghachán Seanaid.
DARA SCEIDEAL.
Comhreamh na Votanna.
1. Diúltóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid d'aon pháipéirí ballóide a bheidh gan brí.
2. Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid amach ansan cé méid príomh-roghna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide do gach iarrthóir fé leith, agus ansan socróidh sé na hiarrthóirí ar liost (dá ngairmtear “ordú na roghna” anso ina dhiaidh seo) ar ord an méid príomh-roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith, ag tosnú leis an iarrthóir is mó gur breacadh príomh-roghna dho. Más có-ionann an méid príomh-roghna do breacadh d'aon bheirt iarrthóirí no níos mó (dá ngairmtear “iarrthóirí có-ionanna” anso ina dhiaidh seo), déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid amach cé méid dara roghna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide uile do gach duine fé leith de sna hiarrthóirí có-ionanna, agus socróidh sé na hiarrthóirí có-ionanna, eatorra féin, ar ordú na roghna do réir ord na dara roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith acu san, ag tosnú leis an iarrthóir is mó gur breacadh dara roghna dho. Más có-ionann an méid príomh-roghna agus an méid dara roghna do breacadh d'aon bheirt iarrthóirí có-ionanna no níos mó, déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid amach, sa tslí chéanna, cé méid treas roghna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide uile do gach duine fé leith de sna hiarrthóirí có-ionanna deiridh sin a luaidhtear, agus socróidh sé na hiarrthóirí sin ar ordú na roghna dá réir sin, agus mar sin de go dtí go mbeidh na hiarrthóirí uile socruithe in ordú ar ordú na roghna. Más cóionann an méid príomh-roghna, dara roghna, treas roghna agus roghna eile go léir do breacadh d'aon bheirt iarrthóirí co-ionanna no níos mó cinnfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid le crannchur an t-ord ina socrófar na hiarrthóirí sin ar ordú na roghna.
3. Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ansan na páipéirí ballóide le n-a mbeidh brí do shocrú i mbeartanna, do réir na bpríomh-roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith.
4. Chun gurb usa oibriú do réir mar a horduítear leis na Rialacha so, tuigfar éifeacht mhíle do bheith ag gach páipeur ballóide fé leith le n-a mbeidh brí.
5. Déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ansan an méid páipéirí ballóide a bheidh i ngach beart fé leith do chomhreamh agus do réir na Rialach san roimhe seo cuirfe sé i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith éifeacht na bpáipéirí ballóide le n-a mbeidh brí agus ar ar breacadh príomh-rogha don iarrthóir sin.
6. Cuirfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid le chéile ansan na héifeachtaí a bheidh sna beartanna uile agus roinnfe sé an éifeacht lán-iomlán ar uimhir 'na mbeidh aon aici de bhreis ar an méid folúntaisí a bheidh le líona. A thora san agus aon do chur leis, gan aon iarmhar briste do bhac, an éifeacht is leor chun a chur in áirithe go dtoghfar iarrthóir. An “quota” a gairmtear den éifeacht so sa Sceideal so.
7. Más rud é, ar bheith críochnuithe d'aon chomhreamh no d'aistriú aon bhirt no fo-bhirt le hiarrthóir do cuireadh as, go mbeidh an éifeacht do cuireadh i leith iarrthóra chó mór leis an quota no níos mó ná é, tuigfar an t-iarrthóir sin do bheith toghtha.
8. Más rud é, ar bheith críochnuithe d'aon chomhreamh, gur mó ná an quota an éifeacht a bheidh curtha i leith iarrthóra (dá ngairmtear an t-iarrthóir toghtha sa Riail seo), aistreofar an fuighleach chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh no chun na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha a taisbeántar ar na páipéirí vótála i mbeart no i bhfobheart an iarrthóra thoghtha do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha agus bainfidh na forálacha so a leanas leis an aistriú san do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más o bhun-vótanna amháin don éifeacht do cuireadh i leith an iarrthóra thoghtha, scrúdóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid na páipéirí ballóide uile i mbeart an iarrthóra thoghtha agus déanfa sé na páipéirí ionaistrithe ann do shocrú i bhfo-bhirt do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha agus déanfa sé fo-bheart fé leith de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe;
(b) más o bhun-vótanna i bpáirt agus o vótanna aistrithe i bpáirt, no más o vótanna aistrithe amháin, don éifeacht do cuireadh i leith an iarrthóra thoghtha, scrúdóidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid na páipéirí ballóide a bheidh sa bhfo-bheart is déanaí do fuair an t-iarrthóir toghtha agus déanfa sé na páipéirí ionaistrithe ann do shocrú i dtuille fo-bheart do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha agus déanfa sé fo-bheart fé leith de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe;
(c) in aon chás acu san dá dtagartar sna míreanna san (a) agus (b) roimhe seo déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid amach cad is líon agus cad is éifeacht iomlán do sna páipéirí ballóide i ngach fo-bheart de pháipéirí ionaistrithe agus sa bhfo-bheart de pháipéirí neamhionaistrithe;
(d) más ionann agus an fuighleach san no más lú ná é éifeacht iomlán na bpáipéirí sna fo-bhirt uile de pháipéirí ionaistrithe aistreoidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach fo-bheart fé leith de pháipéirí ionaistrithe go dtí an t-iarrthóir leanúnach a bheidh taisbeánta air mar chéad rogha infheadhma eile ag an vótálaí, agus an éifeacht chéanna ag gach páipeur fé leith le linn a aistrithe do bhí aige nuair a fuair an t-iarrthóir toghtha é, agus (más lú an éifeacht iomlán san ná an fuighleach san) cuirfar na páipéirí neamhionaistrithe i leataoibh mar pháipéirí gan brí leo sa chomhreamh san ach beidh éifeacht acu is ionann agus an deifríocht idir an fuighleach san agus an éifeacht iomlán san;
(e) más mó ná an fuighleach san éifeacht iomlán na bpáipéirí sna fo-bheartanna uile de pháipéirí ionaistrithe aistreoidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach páipeur fé leith sa bhfo-bheart san de pháipéirí ionaistrithe go dtí an t-iarrthóir leanúnach a bheidh taisbeánta air mar chéad rogha infheadhma eile ag an vótálaí, agus an éifeacht a bheidh ag gach páipeur le linn a aistrithe déanfar amach í tríd an bhfuighleach do roinnt ar líon iomlán na bpáipéirí ionaistrithe, gan iarmhair bhriste do bhac ach amháin go gcuirfar síos ar leathán an tora an méid éifeachta do cailleadh dá dheascaibh;
(f) aon fhuighleach a thárlóidh ar chríochnú aon chomhrimh deighleálfar leis sara ndeighleálfar le fuighleach a thárlóidh i gcomhreamh ina dhiaidh sin;
(g) nuair a thárlóidh dhá fhuighleach no níos mó sa chomhreamh chéanna is leis an gceann is mó is túisce a deighleálfar agus deighleálfar leis na cinn eile in ordú a méide;
(h) más có-ionann an fuighleach a thárlóidh do bheirt iarrthóirí no níos mó sa chomhreamh chéanna deighleálfar ar dtúis le fuighleach an iarrthóra gur cuireadh an éifeacht ba mhó ina leith sa chomhreamh ba thúisce nár chó-ionann na héifeachtaí do cuireadh i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin agus i gcás in ar có-ionann i ngach comhreamh na héifeachtaí do cuireadh i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin deighleálfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid ar dtúis le fuighleach an iarrthóra is aoirde in ordú na roghna.
9. Más rud é, i ndeire aon chomhrimh, ná beidh fuighleach ag aon iarrthóir agus go mbeidh folúntas no folúntaisí gan líona fós déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid an t-iarrthóir (dá ngairmtear sa Riail seo an t-iarrthóir do cuireadh as) is lú éifeacht ina leith an uair sin do chur as agus a pháipéirí d'aistriú go dtí na hiarrthóirí leanúnacha fé seach a bheidh taisbeánta ar na páipéirí ballóide i mbeart no i bhfo-bheartanna an iarrthóra do cuireadh as mar chéad rogha infheadhma eile ag an vótálaí, agus cuirfe sé i leith na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha san éifeacht na bpáipéirí a haistreofar amhlaidh, agus bainfidh na rialacha so a leanas leis an aistriú san do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) aistreofar ar dtúis an beart ina mbeidh bun-vótanna agus míle mar éifeacht aistrithe ag gach páipeur fé leith;
(b) aistreofar ansan na fó-bheartanna ina mbeidh vótanna aistrithe san ordú agus ar an éifeacht go bhfuair an t-iarrthóir do cuireadh as iad;
(c) chun a shocrú ce'ca iarrthóir leanúnach iarrthóir no nách ea áireofar aistriú gach birt no fo-bhirt fé leith mar chomhreamh ar leithligh;
(d) le linn gach beart no fó-bheart fé leith d'aistriú déanfar fó-bheart ar leithligh de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe agus cuirfar iad san i leataoibh ar an éifeacht ar a bhfuair an t-iarrthóir do cuireadh as iad;
(e) más rud é, nuair is gá iarrthóir do chur as fén Riail seo, go mbeidh an éifeacht chéanna i leith beirt iarrthóirí no níos mó an uair sin agus gurb iad is ísle féachfar don éifeacht iomlán de bhun-vótanna do cuireadh i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith acu san agus cuirfar as an t-iarrthóir is lú éifeacht iomlán den tsórt san, agus más có-ionann na héifeachtaí iomlána san féachfar don éifeacht iomlán de vótanna do cuireadh i leith gach iarrthóra acu san sa chomhreamh ba thúisce nár chó-ionann a n-éifeachtaí agus cuirfar as an t-iarrthóir ba lú éifeacht iomlán den tsórt san sa chomhreamh san, agus má sé an éifeacht iomlán chéanna de vótanna do cuireadh i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin i ngach comhreamh cuirfar as an t-iarrthóir sin acu san is ísle in ordú na roghna.
10. Ar dhéanamh gach aistrithe fé leith a déanfar fé sna Rialacha so, déanfar gach fo-bheart fé leith de pháipéirí a haistreofar do chur ar bharr an bhirt no an fho-bhirt (más ann do) de pháipéirí an iarrthóra chun a ndéanfar an t-aistriú agus cuirfar i leith an iarrthóra san an éifeacht a déanfar amach do réir na Rialacha so a bheith ag na páipéirí a haistreofar chuige amhlaidh.
11. (1) Más rud é i ndeire aon chomhrimh gur có-ionann líon na n-iarrthóirí toghtha agus líon na bhfolúntaisí a bheidh le líona ní déanfar aon aistriú eile.
(2) Nuair a thárlóidh i ndeire aon chomhrimh gur có-ionann líon na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha agus líon na bhfolúntaisí a bheidh gan líona fós, tuigfar ansan na hiarrthóirí leanúnacha do bheith toghtha.
(3) Nuair ná beidh ach aon fholúntas amháin gan líona agus gur mó an éifeacht a bheidh i leith aon iarrthóra leanúnaigh amháin éigin ná iomlán na n-éifeacht a bheidh i leith na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha eile maraon le haon fhuighleach nár haistríodh, tuigfar ansan an t-iarrthóir sin do bheith toghtha.
(4) Nuair is féidir na folúntaisí deiridh do líona fén Riail seo, ní déanfar aon aistriú eile.
12. I ndeire gach comhrimh breacfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid, ar leathán tora sa bhfuirm orduithe, iomlán na n-éifeacht a bheidh i leith gach iarrthóra fé leith i ndeire an chomhrimh sin agus fós éifeacht na bpáipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe do bhí gan feidhm sa chomhreamh san agus an éifeacht do cailleadh sa chomhreamh san toisc nár bacadh le codáin.
13. (1) Tuigfar na hiarrthóirí do bheith toghtha san ord in ar haistríodh a bhfuighligh.
(2) Iarrthóir go mbeidh ina leith i ndeire comhrimh éifeacht a bheidh díreach có-ionann leis an quota tuigfar gurb é is lú fuighleach sa chomhreamh san chun crícheanna na Rialach so.
(3) I gcás ina dtuigfar beirt iarrthóirí no níos mó do bheith toghtha, toisc gur có-ionann líon na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha agus líon na bhfolúntaisí a bheidh gan líona, déanfar amach mar leanas cadé an t-ord in ar toghadh na hiarrthóirí sin, sé sin le rá:—
(a) féachfar ar dtúis do sna héifeachtaí do bhí i leith na n-iarrthóirí sin fé seach nuair a tuigeadh amhlaidh iad do bheith toghtha, agus tuigfar gurb é an t-iarrthóir ba mhó éifeacht ina leith an uair sin an duine de sna hiarrthóirí sin is túisce do toghadh, agus mar sin de;
(b) má ba chó-ionann na héifeachtaí do bhí i leith beirt iarrthóirí den tsórt san no níos mó nuair a tuigeadh amhlaidh iad do bheith toghtha, féachfar don éifeacht iomlán de bhun-vótanna do bhí i leith gach duine fé leith de sna hiarrthóirí có-ionánna san agus tuigfar gurb é an t-iarrthóir ba mhó éifeacht iomlán den tsórt san an duine de sna hiarrthóirí có-ionanna san is túisce do toghadh, agus mar sin de;
(c) má sí an éifeacht iomlán chéanna de bhun-vótanna do bhí i leith beirt iarrthóirí có-ionanna den tsórt san no níos mó amhlaidh féachfar don éifeacht iomlán de vótanna do bhí i leith na n-iarrthóirí deiridh sin a luaidhtear sa chomhreamh is túisce nár chó-ionann na héifeachtaí iomlána de vótanna ina leith, agus tuigfar gurb é an t-iarrthóir ba mhó éifeacht iomlán den tsórt san ina leith sa chomhreamh san an duine de sna hiarrthóirí deiridh sin a luaidhtear is túisce do toghadh, agus mar sin de;
(d) má sí an éifeacht chéanna de vótanna do bhí i leith beirt iarrthóirí no níos mó den tsórt deiridh sin a luaidhtear i ngach comhreamh féachfar d'ordú na roghna agus tuigfar gurb é an t-iarrthóir is aoirde in ordú na roghna an duine de sna hiarrthóirí có-ionanna deiridh sin a luaidhtear is túisce do toghadh, agus mar sin de.
14. Faid a bheidh na vótanna á gcomhreamh déanfar, sa mhéid gur féidir é, na páipéirí ballóide do chimeád aghaidh anáirde agus déanfidh ceann comhrimh an tSeanaid gach ní is ceart chun ná feicfear na huimhreacha ar chúil na bpáipéirí ballóide.
15. Sna Rialacha so—
(1) cialluíonn an focal “iarrthóir leanúnach” aon iarrthóir ná tuigfar bheith toghtha agus ná beidh curtha as;
(2) cialluíonn an focal “príomh-rogha” an figiúir “1” ina aonar, cialluíonn an focal “dara rogha” an figiúir “2” ina aonar i ndiaidh an fhigiúra “1” agus cialluíonn an focal “treas rogha” an figiúir “3” ina aonar i ndiaidh na bhfigiúirí “1” agus “2” os coinne ainm aon iarrthóra, agus mar sin de;
(3) cialluíonn an focal “an chéad rogha infheadhma eile” dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin do breacadh ar ord leanúnach uimhreach d'iarrthóir leanúnach gan áird do thabhairt ar an gcéad rogha eile, do réir úird, ar an bpáipeur ballóide d'iarrthóirí a tuigfar cheana a bheith toghtha no curtha as;
(4) cialluíonn an focal “páipeur ionaistrithe” páipeur ballóide ar a bhfuil tar éis príomh-rogha dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha ar ord uimhreach d'iarrthóir leanúnach;
(5) cialluíonn an focal “páipeur neamh-ionaistrithe” páipeur ballóide—
(a) ná fuil aon dara rogha ná rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha air d'iarrthóir leanúnach, no
(b) ar a bhfuil an uimhir chéanna marcálta os coinne ainmneacha beirt iarrthóirí no níos mó (pe'ca iarrthóirí leanúnacha iad na nách ea) gurb iad is túisce arís in ordú rogha, no
(c) ar a bhfuil marcálta, os coinne ainm an chéad iarrthóra eile in ordú rogha (pe'ca iarrthóir leanúnach é no nách ea), uimhir ná tagann in ord leanúnach i ndiaidh uimhreach éigin eile ar an bpáipeur vótála, no dhá uimhir no níos mó, no
(d) atá gan brí toisc dabhta;
(6) cialluíonn an focal “bun-vóta” maidir le haon iarrthóir vóta o pháipeur bhallóide ar a bhfuil príomh-rogha breactha don iarrthóir sin;
(7) cialluíonn an focal “vóta aistrithe” maidir le haon iarrthóir vóta o pháipeur bhallóide ar a bhfuil dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha don iarrthóir sin;
(8) cialluíonn an focal “fuighleach” an bhreis ar an quota atá ag éifeacht iomlán na vótanna, idir bhun-vótanna agus vótanna aistrithe, atá i leith aon iarrthóra;
(9) cialluíonn an focal “comhreamh” (fé mar is gá do réir an chó-théacs)—
(a) gach ní is gá do dhéanamh i gcomhreamh na bpríomhroghna do breacadh d'iarrthóirí; no
(b) gach ní is gá do dhéanamh chun fuighleach iarrthóra toghtha d'aistriú; no
(c) gach ní is gá do dhéanamh chun vótanna iarrthóra a cuireadh as d'aistriú;
(10) cialluíonn an focal “tuigfar bheith toghtha” tuigfar bheith toghtha chun críche an chomhrimh, ach gan dochar do thora an toghacháin d'fhógairt;
(11) cialluíonn an focal “cinne le crann-chur” cinne do réir na dtreoracha so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
scríobhfar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí le n-a mbaineann sé ar bhlúirí páipéir có-mhar a chéile, fillfear na blúirí chun ná haithneofar iad thar a chéile, meascfar iad agus tarraiceofar iad gan ordú gan eagar, agus ansan déanfar na hiarrthóirí le n-a mbaineann sé do shocrú ar ordú na roghna san ord 'na dtarraiceofar na blúirí ar a bhfuil a n-ainmneacha ag tosnú leis an iarrthóir go bhfuil a ainm ar an mblúire is túisce a tarraiceofar.
TRIU SCEIDEAL.
ACHTACHAIN A hATHGHAIRMTEAR.
Uimhir agus bliain. | Gearr-theideal. | Méid na hAthghairme. |
Alt 2, alt 3, fo-alt (2), Cuid IV., an Séú Sceideal, agus (ach amháin i gCuid VII.) gach tagairt do thogha cháin tSeanaid agus do thoghthóirí Seanaid. | ||
Alt 12, fo-alt (3), mír (b), ailt 24, 48, agus 51, Cuid VI., agus na focail “no mar Sheanad-toghthóir” in alt 43, fo-alt (1) agus na focail “mar Sheanad-toghthóir” in alt 47, fo-alt (1). | ||
An tAcht Toghacháin (Toghacháin an tSeanaid), 1925. | An tAcht iomlán. |
Number 29 of 1928.
SEANAD ELECTORAL ACT, 1928.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Conduct of Election.
The Counting of the Votes.
Enactments Repealed.
Act Referred to | |
No. 12 of 1923 | |
Number 29 of 1928.
SEANAD ELECTORAL ACT, 1928.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Local Government and Public Health,
the expression “Seanad election” means an election of members of Seanad Eireann held in pursuance of Article 32 of the Constitution,
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister by regulations made under this Act.
Seanad returning officer and expenses.
2.—(1) For the purpose of every Seanad election there shall be a Seanad returning officer who shall be appointed for each such election by the Minister not later than the 13th day of November preceding such election.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Seanad returning officer to conduct the election in respect of which he is appointed, to count the votes cast thereat and to ascertain and declare the result thereof in accordance with this Act and to do such other matters and things in respect of such election as he is required by this Act to do.
(3) The Minister for Finance shall prepare a scale of maximum charges for Seanad returning officers and every Seanad 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 the election in respect of which he was appointed but not exceeding in any case the maximum charges specified in the said scale of maximum charges for the time being in force.
Period for holding of Seanad elections.
3.—(1) Every Seanad election shall be held during the period commencing on the 16th day of November preceding the expiration of the term of office of the members retiring at such election and ending on the day of such expiration.
(2) Within fourteen days before the 15th day of November preceding a Seanad election the Minister shall by order appoint—
(a) the day (in this Act referred to as the day of issue of ballot papers) on which the ballot papers for that election are to be issued and posted to electors, and
(b) the day and hour (in this Act referred to as the close of the poll) at which the poll at that election is to be closed.
(3) Every order made by the Minister under this sub-section shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.
Formation of panel of candidates.
4.—(1) Before every Seanad election a panel of candidates for such election shall be formed in accordance with this Act.
(2) For the purposes of Article 32a of the Constitution the day appointed by law for the completion of the formation of a panel of candidates for a Seanad election shall be the 13th day of November preceding such election or, when that day falls on a Sunday or is a bank holiday, the next day after such 13th day of November which is neither a Sunday nor a bank holiday.
Nominations to panel of candidates.
5.—(1) On or before the 13th day of November preceding a Seanad election or, when that day falls on a Sunday or is a bank holiday, on or before the next day after such 13th day of November which is neither a Sunday nor a bank holiday as many qualified persons as there are members to be elected at such election shall be nominated by Dáil Eireann voting on principles of proportional representation for inclusion in the panel of candidates for such election.
(2) On or before the 13th day of November preceding a Seanad election or, when that day falls on a Sunday or is a bank holiday, on or before the next day after such 13th day of November which is neither a Sunday nor a bank holiday as many qualified persons as there are members to be elected at such election shall be nominated by Seanad Eireann voting on principles of proportional representation for inclusion in the panel of candidates for such election.
(3) The method of proposal and selection of persons for nomination under this section by Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann respectively for inclusion in a panel of candidates for a Seanad election shall be decided by Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann respectively.
Preparation of panel of candidates.
6.—(1) Not later than the 16th day of November preceding a Seanad election the Clerk of the Dáil and the Clerk of the Seanad shall each deliver to the Seanad returning officer a statement of the names, addresses, descriptions, and qualifications of the persons nominated by Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann respectively for inclusion in the panel of candidates for such election.
(2) As soon as he has received the said statements the Seanad returning officer shall prepare therefrom the panel of candidates for such election and shall publish the same in the Iris Oifigiúil and shall send a copy thereof by registered post to every member of Dáil Eireann and every member of Seanad Eireann.
(3) When preparing a panel of candidates under this section the Seanad returning officer shall include in such panel the names of all persons who are named in the said statements sent to him under this section notwithstanding that any of such persons have died or are not qualified for or are or have become disqualified for membership of Seanad Eireann.
(4) A panel of candidates prepared by a Seanad returning officer under this section shall show in respect of every candidate his name, address, description, and qualifications as stated in the relevant statement furnished to the Seanad returning officer under this section but where any such statement of qualifications exceeds forty words in length the excess over such forty words shall not be inserted in the panel.
(5) Where the day which under this section is the last day for the doing of any thing falls on a Sunday or is a bank holiday such thing may be done on the next following day which is neither a Sunday nor a bank holiday.
(6) In this section the word “qualifications” means qualifications for membership of Seanad Eireann under Article 30 of the Constitution.
Finality of panel of candidates.
7.—(1) A panel of candidates for a Seanad election prepared under this Act by the Seanad returning officer shall be conclusive as to the persons who are candidates at such election notwithstanding that any of such persons are dead or are not qualified for or are or have become disqualified for membership of Seanad Eireann and notwithstanding any informality or irregularity in their nomination.
(2) In the counting of the votes cast at a Seanad election all the preferences recorded for a candidate of whose death (whether before or after the formation of the panel of candidates) the Seanad returning officer receives notice before the close of the poll shall be disregarded and regard shall be had in lieu thereof to the next available preferences.
(3) The following candidates at a Seanad election if elected at such election shall be returned as having been so elected and shall (without prejudice to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to declare their election void) be deemed to have been duly so elected and to vacate their seats immediately after the commencement of their term of office, that is to say:—
(a) every elected candidate who dies before the commencement of his term of office whether he so dies before, during, or after the election,
(b) every elected candidate who at the close of the poll is not qualified to be a member of Seanad Eireann whether he does or does not become so qualified before the commencement of his term of office,
(c) every elected candidate who is at the commencement of his term of office disqualified for being a member of Seanad Eireann whether he became so disqualified before, during, or after the election.
Preparation of electoral roll.
8.—(1) Not less than three days before the day appointed for the issue of ballot papers at a Seanad election the Clerk of the Dáil shall furnish to the Seanad returning officer a statement of the names and addresses of the members of Dáil Eireann and the Clerk of the Seanad shall furnish to the Seanad returning officer a statement of the names and addresses of the members of Seanad Eireann.
(2) The addresses of members of Dáil Eireann and of members of Seanad Eireann to be given in the said statements shall be their ordinary addresses save that if any such member gives to the Clerk of the Dáil or the Clerk of the Seanad (as the case may require) a special address for the purpose of such statement such special address shall be given in such statement in lieu of the ordinary address of such member.
(3) Upon receipt of the said statements of the names and addresses of the members of Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare an electoral roll and shall set out thereon in alphabetical order of surnames and in cases of identity of surnames in alphabetical order of other names all the names and addresses contained in the said statements and shall number the said names consecutively on the said electoral roll.
(4) Every electoral roll prepared under this section shall be kept open to inspection without charge in the office of the Seanad returning officer by any member of Dáil Eireann or of Seanad Eireann until the close of the poll at the election to which the roll relates.
(5) Every electoral roll prepared under this section shall be final and conclusive and not open to review by any Court and the persons whose names are set out in an electoral roll and no other persons shall be entitled to vote at the election to which the roll relates.
Method of voting.
9.—(1) The voting at a Seanad election shall be on the principle of proportional representation and each elector shall have one transferable vote which shall be given by ballot.
(2) At a Seanad Election the ballot of each voter shall consist of a paper (in this Act called a ballot paper) containing a list of the candidates described by their names, addresses, and descriptions as stated in the panel of candidates for that election and arranged alphabetically in the order of their surnames and, in the case of identity of surnames, of their other names and either in one continuous column or in such other manner (without departing from the said alphabetical order) as in the opinion of the Minister is best calculated to facilitate marking and counting.
(3) The ballot papers shall be in the prescribed form and each ballot paper shall have a number printed on the back and shall have attached a counterfoil with the same number printed on the face and every ballot paper shall at the time of issue thereof be marked on both sides with an official mark either stamped or perforated.
(4) 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 Seanad returning officer, effectively distinguish such candidate.
Method of marking votes on ballot papers.
10.—(1) An elector in giving his vote 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.
(2) Any ballot paper—
(a) which does not bear the official mark, or
(b) on which the figure 1 standing alone indicating a first preference for some candidate is not placed, 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.
Sending of ballot papers to electors.
11.—(1) On the day appointed for the issue of ballot papers at a Seanad election the Seanad returning officer shall send by registered post to each person whose name is on the electoral roll for that election at the address stated on such roll a ballot paper together with a form of declaration of identity.
(2) Whenever a person to whom a ballot paper for a Seanad election should be sent under the foregoing sub-section states in writing to the Seanad returning officer that more than twenty-four hours have elapsed since such ballot paper should have been delivered to him in the ordinary course of post and that he has not received such ballot paper and that he desires a duplicate ballot paper and declaration of identity to be issued to him, the Seanad returning officer, if such statement is received by him not less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, shall forthwith or, if such statement is received by him less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, may send by registered post to such person at the address mentioned in the foregoing sub-section a ballot paper and form of declaration of identity which, by being printed on paper of a special colour or otherwise, are clearly distinguished as duplicates of the ballot paper and form of declaration of identity originally sent to such person under this section.
(3) Every declaration of identity shall be in the prescribed form and shall be exempt from stamp duty and shall be a statutory declaration under the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835, and if made in Saorstát Eireann shall be made before a peace commissioner, commissioner for oaths, or notary public to whom he is personally known, and if made outside Saorstát Eireann shall be made before a person to whom he is personally known and who is authorised by the law of the place in which it is made to administer oaths.
(4) Every person entitled to vote at a Seanad election shall be entitled to vote at that election in the following and no other manner, that is to say, by marking and returning by registered or ordinary post to the Seanad returning officer a ballot paper sent to him under this section together with the form of declaration of identity similarly sent to him therewith duly made and completed by him.
(5) Whenever a person entitled to vote at a Seanad election states in writing to the Seanad returning officer that he duly returned by registered post to the Seanad returning officer a ballot paper and form of declaration of identity sent to him under this section and that the same do not appear to have been delivered to the Seanad returning officer and that he desires a duplicate ballot paper and declaration of identity to be issued to him the Seanad returning officer, if such statement is received by him not less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, shall forthwith or, if such statement is received by him less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, may send by registered post to such person at the address mentioned in the first sub-section of this section a ballot paper and form of declaration of identity which, by being printed on paper of a special colour or otherwise, are clearly distinguished as duplicates of the ballot paper and form of declaration of identity originally sent to such person under this section.
(6) The Seanad returning officer in sending out, receiving, and otherwise dealing with the ballot papers at a Seanad election shall observe the rules contained in the First Schedule to this Act.
Ascertainment of the result of a poll.
12.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the close of the poll the Seanad returning officer shall, in the presence of such candidates as may be in attendance, ascertain the result of the election in accordance with this Act and in particular the Rules contained in the First and Second Schedules to this Act and shall declare to be elected the candidates who are so ascertained to be elected and shall return their names to the Clerk of the Dáil and to the Clerk of the Seanad.
(2) The decision of the Seanad returning officer as to any question arising on the ballot papers, the declarations of identity, or the envelopes containing the same or any other matter arising on the issue, receipt, or counting of the votes shall be final subject to reversal by a Court trying an election petition in relation to the election.
Preservation of the secrecy of the voting.
13.—(1) The Seanad returning officer and every officer and clerk concerned in the issue, receipt, or counting of ballot papers at a Seanad election and every candidate 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 voted or as to whether 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 a Seanad election.
(3) No person shall directly or indirectly induce any elector at a Seanad election 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 the 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 thereof to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for any term not exceeding six months.
Election petitions in relation to Seanad elections.
14.—(1) The enactments relating to the presentation and trial of election petitions in relation to elections of members of Dáil Eireann shall apply to Seanad elections with the following modifications, that is to say:—
(a) the court trying an election petition in relation to a Seanad election shall not have power to declare the whole election to be void but may declare the election of any one or more of the candidates returned as elected at the election to be void or to be valid as justice may require,
(b) where the said court so declares the election of a candidate to be void, the court shall declare that such one as justice may require of the candidates not returned as elected was elected,
(c) the said court shall have power to determine and declare the order in which the candidates elected at the election (whether returned as so elected or determined by the court to have been so elected) were elected,
(d) the said court shall have power to make such amendments as may be necessary to give effect to its decisions in the certificate of the Seanad returning officer of the result of the election,
(e) references to the House of Commons shall be construed as references to Seanad Eireann and references to the Speaker of the House of Commons shall be construed as references to the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann.
(2) No person who has voted at a Seanad election 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.
15.—No election of a candidate at a Seanad election shall be declared void by reason only of a non-compliance with the rules contained in any 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.
16.—All postal services (including all registration services) wholly within Saorstát Eireann in relation to the issue and return of ballot papers at a Seanad election 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 Seanad returning officer's expenses and shall be defrayed accordingly.
Amendment of the Electoral Act, 1923.
17.—(1) So much of section 11 of the Electoral Act, 1923 (No. 12 of 1923), and the First Schedule to that Act as enacts that the annual register to be compiled under that section and schedule shall contain the names of those entitled to vote as or to be registered as Seanad electors shall cease to have effect.
(2) Sub-section (1) of section 57 of the Electoral Act, 1923, shall be construed and have effect as if the words “the age of thirty years or upwards” were inserted therein in lieu of the words and figures “the age of 35 years or upwards” now contained therein.
(3) In the Electoral Act, 1923, the word “election” and cognate words when used without qualification shall not (save in Part VII. (which relates to membership of Seanad Eireann) of the said Act) include or be construed as referring to a Seanad election.
Regulations.
18.—(1) The Minister may by order make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
(2) Every regulation made by the Minister under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if either such House shall, within twenty one days on which such House has sat after such regulation is laid before it, pass a resolution annulling such regulation, such regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Repeals.
19.—The enactments mentioned in the Third Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent mentioned in the third column of that Schedule.
Short title.
20.—This Act may be cited as the Seanad Electoral Act, 1928.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Conduct of Election.
Issue of ballot papers.
1. On the day of issue of ballot papers at a Seanad election the Seanad returning officer shall issue in the manner directed in the following rules a ballot paper to every elector named on the electoral roll for that election.
Attendance of candidates.
2. Every candidate at a Seanad election shall be entitled to attend at the issue of ballot papers for that election and the Seanad returning officer shall on the request of any such candidate inform such candidate 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 Seanad returning officer and his assistants, such of the candidates as choose to attend, and such other persons (if any) as the Seanad returning officer may permit to be so present.
Method of issuing ballot papers.
4. The Seanad 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 electoral roll 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 counterfoil of the ballot paper,
(c) a mark shall be placed on the electoral roll 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 his address stated in the electoral roll 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 Seanad returning officer, and
(iv) a smaller envelope (hereinafter 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.
Issue of duplicate ballot paper.
5. Every request for the issue of a duplicate ballot paper shall, when received by the Seanad returning officer, be endorsed by him with the day and hour of the receipt thereof by him and with a consecutive number, and every duplicate ballot paper issued in pursuance of any such request shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing rule so far as the same are applicable save that, in lieu of the number on the electoral roll, there shall be marked on the counterfoil of such ballot paper the consecutive number endorsed on the request in pursuance of which such ballot paper is issued and that when such ballot paper has been issued the said request shall be disposed of in like manner as the marked copy of the electoral roll is required by these rules to be disposed of.
Posting of ballot papers.
6. The Seanad 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 Seanad 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.
7. The Seanad returning officer, as soon as practicable after the completion of the issue of the ballot papers and in the presence of the candidates in attendance shall make up in separate packets, sealed with his own seal and sealed by such of the candidates as desire to affix their seals, the marked copy of the electoral roll and the counterfoils of the ballot papers.
Seanad ballot box.
8. The Seanad returning officer shall provide a ballot box marked “Seanad 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 Seanad returning officer shall show such ballot box open and empty to the candidates (if any) present, and shall seal such ballot box with his seal and shall make provision for the safe custody of such ballot box.
Disposal of covering envelopes on receipt.
9. The Seanad returning officer shall forthwith place unopened in the Seanad 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.
10. Not less than three days before the close of the poll the Seanad returnng officer shall send by post to every candidate at his address as stated in the panel of candidates notice in writing of the time and place at which he will open the Seanad ballot box and count the votes.
Opening of Seanad ballot box.
11. As soon as conveniently may be after the close of the poll the Seanad returning officer shall open the Seanad ballot box and count the votes.
Persons present at counting of votes.
12. No person shall be present at the opening of the Seanad ballot box or the counting of the votes save the Seanad returning officer and his assistants, such of the candidates as choose to attend, and such other persons (if any) as the Seanad returning officer may permit to be so present.
Procedure on opening of Seanad ballot box.
13. When the Seanad ballot box has been opened the Seanad returning officer shall do the following things, that is to say:—
(a) take all the covering envelopes out of the Seanad ballot box and count and note the number thereof,
(b) open each such covering envelope and segregate any of those envelopes containing a declaration of identity issued as a duplicate form of declaration of identity,
(c) take up separately each of the said covering envelopes not so segregated, 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,
(d) if the said numbers agree and the declaration of identity is found to be duly completed and made, he shall place the declaration of identity and the ballot paper envelope in separate receptacles,
(e) if he is not satisfied that the declaration of identity has been duly completed and made he shall 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,
(f) if he 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,
(g) where the number on the ballot paper does not agree with the number on the declaration of identity, he 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,”
(h) where a declaration of identity does not appear to accompany the ballot paper envelope, he 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,
(i) he shall mark with the word “rejected” every declaration which is not accompanied by a ballot paper, and every ballot paper which is not accompanied by a declaration of identity,
(j) when all the said covering envelopes not so segregated have been dealt with under the foregoing provisions of this rule, he shall take up separately each of the said covering envelopes segregated as containing a declaration of identity issued as a duplicate form of declaration of identity, examine the declaration of identity therein (hereinafter referred to as the duplicate declaration) and ascertain whether a declaration of identity in respect of the same person has or has not been previously examined under this rule,
(k) if a declaration of identity in respect of the same person has been previously examined under this rule he shall mark the duplicate declaration “vote rejected” and shall attach thereto the ballot paper envelope, without opening such envelope, or, if there is no such envelope, the ballot paper,
(l) if a declaration of identity in respect of the same person has not been previously examined under this rule he shall deal with the duplicate declaration and the ballot paper envelope and ballot paper accompanying the same in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this rule other than the two last preceding paragraphs thereof.
Ballot papers and declarations not in proper envelopes.
14. 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.
15. The Seanad 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 present, and if an objection is made by any such candidate to his decision shall add to the endorsement the words “rejection objected to”.
Separation of rejected declarations.
16. The Seanad 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 envelopes.
17. When all the covering envelopes in the Seanad ballot box have been opened and their contents dealt with under the preceding rules, the Seanad returning officer shall open each un opened 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.
18. As soon as the Seanad 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.
19. When the Seanad 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 Second Schedule to this Act, the votes recorded on the said ballot papers.
Rejection of invalid ballot papers.
20. The Seanad returning officer shall endorse “rejected” on any ballot paper which he rejects as invalid and if an objection be made by any candidate to his decision rejecting the ballot paper he shall add to the said endorsement “rejection objected to”.
Continuity of proceedings under this Schedule.
21. The Seanad returning officer shall so far as practicable proceed continuously with the proceedings under this Schedule subsequent to the opening of the Seanad 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 reason 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 all proper precautions for the security of the ballot papers, envelopes, votes, and other documents relating to the election.
Declaration of secrecy.
22. The Seanad 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 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.
23. As soon as the counting of the votes is completed the Seanad returning officer shall prepare in duplicate a certificate in the prescribed form setting out the names of the candidates elected, the order in which they were 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 Seanad returning officer shall then sign the said duplicate certificate and shall send one such duplicate to the Clerk of the Dáil and the other such duplicate to the Clerk of the Seanad.
Publication of result of election.
24. The Seanad 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.
25. Upon the completion of the counting of the votes the Seanad returning officer shall seal up in separate packets the counted ballot papers and the ballot papers rejected as invalid.
Retention of documents by Seanad returning officer.
26. The Seanad returning officer shall retain for six months from the close of the poll the several sealed packets of the marked copy of the electoral roll, 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.
27. No person shall be allowed to inspect any of the said sealed packets retained by the Seanad 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.
28. 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 he 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.
29. The Seanad 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 Seanad returning officer.
30. Where an order is made by an election tribunal for the production by the Seanad returning officer of any document or packet of documents in his possession relating to a specified election, the production by the Seanad 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 Seanad 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.
31. The production by the Seanad 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 electoral roll relating to such election was the same as the number so marked on such counterfoil.
Endorsement of packets by Seanad returning officer.
32. Whenever the Seanad 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.
33. In this Schedule the expression “election tribunal” means a court lawfully having cognisance of petitions complaining of undue return or undue election at a Seanad election.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
The Counting of the Votes.
Rejection of invalid ballot papers.
1. The Seanad returning officer shall reject any ballot papers that are invalid.
The order of preferences.
2. The Seanad returning officer shall then ascertain the number of first preferences recorded on the ballot papers for each candidate, and shall then arrange the candidates on a list (hereinafter called “the order of preferences”) in the order of the number of first preferences recorded for each candidate, beginning with the candidate for whom the greatest number of first preferences is recorded. If the number of first preferences recorded for any two or more candidates (hereinafter called “equal candidates”) is equal, the Seanad returning officer shall ascertain the number of second preferences recorded on all the ballot papers for each of the equal candidates, and shall arrange the equal candidates as amongst themselves on the order of preferences in the order of the second preferences recorded for each such candidate, beginning with the candidate for whom the greatest number of second preferences is recorded. If the number of first and second preferences recorded for any two or more equal candidates is equal, the Seanad returning officer shall, in like manner, ascertain the number of third preferences recorded on all the ballot papers for each of such last-mentioned equal candidates, and arrange such candidates on the order of preferences accordingly, and so on until all the candidates are arranged in order on the order of preferences. If the number of first, second, third, and all other preferences recorded for any two or more equal candidates is equal the Seanad returning officer shall determine by lot the order in which such candidates are to be arranged on the order of preferences.
Arrangement of ballot papers in parcels.
3. The Seanad returning officer shall then arrange the valid ballot papers in parcels, according to the first preferences recorded for each candidate.
Value of each ballot paper.
4. For the purpose of facilitating the processes prescribed by these Rules, each valid ballot paper shall be deemed to be of the value of one thousand.
Crediting values of first preferences.
5. The Seanad returning officer shall then count the number of ballot papers in each parcel, and in accordance with the preceding Rule credit each candidate with the value of the valid ballot papers on which a first preference has been recorded for such candidate.
Ascertainment of quota.
6. The Seanad returning officer shall then add together the values in all the parcels and divide the full total value 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 value sufficient to secure the return of a candidate. This value is in this Schedule called the “quota.”
Candidates with quota deemed elected.
7. If at the end of any count or at the end of the transfer of any parcel or sub-parcel of an excluded candidate the value credited to a candidate is equal to or greater than the quota, that candidate shall be deemed to be elected.
Transfer of surplus.
8. If at the end of any count the value credited to a candidate (in this Rule referred to as the elected candidate) is greater than the quota, the surplus shall be transferred to the continuing candidate or candidates indicated on the voting papers in the parcel or sub-parcel of the elected candidate according to the next available preferences recorded thereon, and the following provisions shall apply to the making of such transfer, that is to say:—
(a) if the value credited to the elected candidate arises out of original votes only, the Seanad returning officer shall examine all the ballot papers in the parcel of the elected candidate and shall arrange the transferable papers therein in sub-parcels according to the next available preferences recorded thereon and shall make a separate sub-parcel of the non-transferable papers;
(b) if the value credited to the elected candidate arises partly out of original and partly out of transferred votes or out of transferred votes only, the Seanad returning officer shall examine the ballot 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 and shall make a separate sub-parcel of the non-transferable papers;
(c) in either of the cases referred to in the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) the Seanad returning officer shall ascertain the number of ballot papers and their total value in each sub-parcel of transferable papers and in the sub-parcel of non-transferable papers;
(d) if the total value of the papers in all the sub-parcels of transferable papers is equal to or less than the said surplus the Seanad returning officer shall transfer each sub-parcel of transferable papers to the continuing candidate indicated thereon as the voter's next available preference, each paper being transferred at the value at which it was received by the elected candidate, and (where the said total value is less than the said surplus) the non-transferable papers shall be set aside as not effective, at a value which is equal to the difference between the said surplus and the said total value;
(e) if the total value of the papers in all the sub-parcels of transferable papers is greater than the said surplus the Seanad returning officer shall transfer each paper in such sub-parcel of transferable papers to the continuing candidate indicated thereon as the voter's next available preference, and the value at which each paper shall be transferred shall be ascertained by dividing the surplus by the total number of transferable papers, fractional remainders being disregarded except that the consequential loss of value shall be noted on the result sheet;
(f) a surplus which arises on the completion of any count shall be dealt with before a surplus which arises at a subsequent count;
(g) when two or more surpluses arise out of the same count the largest shall be first dealt with and the others shall be dealt with in the order of their magnitude.
(h) if two or more candidates have an equal surplus arising out of the same count, the surplus of the candidate credited with the greatest value at the earliest count at which the values credited to those candidates were unequal shall be first dealt with, and where the values credited to such candidates were equal at all counts, the Seanad returning officer shall deal first with the surplus of the candidate who is highest in the order of preferences.
Exclusion of candidates.
9. If at the end of any count no candidate has a surplus and one or more vacancies remain unfilled, the Seanad returning officer shall exclude the candidate (in this Rule referred to as the excluded candidate) then credited with the lowest value and shall transfer his papers to the continuing candidates respectively indicated on the ballot papers in the parcel or sub-parcels of the excluded candidate as the voter's next available preference, and shall credit such continuing candidates with the value of the papers so transferred, and the following rules shall apply to the making of such transfer, that is to say:—
(a) the parcel containing original votes shall first be transferred, the transfer value of each paper being one thousand;
(b) the sub-parcels containing transferred votes shall then be transferred in the order in which and at the value of which the excluded candidate obtained them;
(c) for the purpose of determining whether a candidate is a continuing candidate the transfer of each parcel or sub-parcel shall be regarded as a separate count;
(d) in the transfer of each parcel or sub-parcel a separate sub-parcel shall be made of the non-transferable papers which shall be set aside at the value at which the excluded candidate obtained them;
(e) if, when a candidate has to be excluded under this Rule, two or more candidates are each then credited with the same value and are lowest regard shall be had to the total value of original votes credited to each of those candidates and the candidate with the smallest such total value shall be excluded, and where such total values are equal regard shall be had to the total value of votes credited to each of those candidates at the earliest count at which they had unequal values, and the candidate with the smallest such total value at that count shall be excluded, and if those candidates were each credited with the same total value of votes at all counts that one of those candidates who is lowest in the order of preferences shall be excluded.
Disposal of papers on transfer.
10. On every transfer made under these Rules, each sub-parcel of papers transferred shall be placed on top of the parcel or sub-parcel (if any) of papers of the candidate to whom the transfer is made and that candidate shall be credited with the value ascertained in accordance with these Rules of the papers so transferred to him.
Filling the last vacancies.
11. (1) If at the end of any count the number of elected candidates is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled no further transfer shall be made.
(2) When at the end of any count the number of continuing candidates is equal to the number of vacancies remaining unfilled, the continuing candidates shall thereupon be deemed to be elected.
(3) When only one vacancy remains unfilled and the value credited to some one continuing candidate exceeds the total of the values credited to the other continuing candidates together with any surplus not transferred, that candidate shall thereupon be deemed to be elected.
(4) When the last vacancies can be filled under this Rule, no further transfer shall be made.
Result sheet.
12. At the end of every count the Seanad returning officer shall record on a result sheet in the prescribed form the total of the values credited to each candidate at the end of that count and also the value of the non-transferable papers not effective on that count and the loss of value on that count owing to disregard of fractions.
Order of election.
13. (1) The candidates shall be deemed to have been elected in the order in which their surpluses were transferred.
(2) A candidate credited at the end of a count with a value exactly equal to the quota shall be regarded as having the smallest surplus at that count for the purposes of this Rule.
(3) Where two or more candidates are deemed to have been elected by reason of the number of continuing candidates being equal to the number of vacancies remaining unfilled, the order of election of such candidates shall be ascertained as follows, that is to say:—
(a) regard shall first be had to the values credited to such candidates respectively when they were so deemed to have been elected, the candidate then credited with the greatest value being deemed to have been first elected of such candidates, and so on;
(b) if two or more such candidates were credited with equal values when they were so deemed to have been elected, regard shall be had to the total value of original votes credited to each of such equal candidates, the candidate with the largest such total value being deemed to have been first elected of such equal candidates, and so on;
(c) if two or more of such equal candidates were so credited with the same total value of original votes, regard shall be had to the total value of votes credited to such last-mentioned candidates at the earliest count at which they were credited with unequal total values of votes, the candidate credited at such count with the greatest such total value being deemed to be first elected of such last-mentioned candidates, and so on;
(d) if two or more of such last-mentioned candidates were credited with the same value of votes at all counts regard shall be had to the order of preferences, the candidate who is highest in the order of preferences being deemed to have been first elected of such last-mentioned equal candidates, and so on.
Precautions for preservation of secrecy.
14. While the votes are being counted the ballot papers shall so far as is practicable be kept face upwards and all proper precautions shall be taken by the Seanad returning officer for preventing the numbers on the backs of the ballot papers being seen.
Definitions.
15. 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 subsequent preference is recorded in numerical order for a continuing candidate;
(5) the expression “non-transferable paper” means a ballot paper—
(a) on which no second or subsequent preference is recorded for a continuing candidate, or
(b) on which 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
(c) on which the name of the candidate next in order of preference (whether continuing or not) is marked by a number not following consecutively after some other number on the voting paper or by two or more numbers, or
(d) which 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 by which the total value of the votes, original and transferred, credited to any candidate exceeds the quota;
(9) the expression “count” means (as the context may require) either—
(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, but without prejudice to the declaration of the result of the election;
(11) the expression “determine by lot” means determine in accordance with the following directions, that is to say:—
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 candidates concerned shall as amongst themselves be arranged on the order of preferences in the order in which the slips containing their names are drawn beginning with the candidate whose name is on the slip drawn first.
THIRD SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Number and year. | Short title. | Extent of repeal. |
No. 12 of 1923. | The Electoral Act, 1923. | Section 2, section 3, sub-section (2), Part IV., the Sixth Schedule, and (except in Part VII.) all references to Seanad elections and Seanad electors. |
No. 38 of 1923. | Section 12, sub-section (3), paragraph (b), sections 24, 48, and 51, Part VI., and in section 43, sub-section (1) and section 47 sub-section (1) the words “or Seanad.” | |
No. 34 of 1925. | The whole Act. |