SINN Féin councillor Maurice Quinlivan has accused City Council for failing to assist in the registration of first time voters at a planned community event in Thomondgate ahead of the local and European elections.
According to Cllr Quinlivan, City Council turned down a request to have an official in attendance at a recent voter registration day organised for St Munchin’s Community Centre. The community event was organised to facilitate young people wishing to vote but who had not yet registered in the Limerick City North ward.
“In the northern end of the city, we have come across a number of young people wishing to vote, but not yet registered. Given these high numbers, a non-political voting registration event was to be held on April 23 at the St Munchin’s Community Centre,” Cllr Quinlivan explained.
He claims that the voter registration day had to be cancelled due to that fact that a Council official was not in attendance. “I am appalled that the Council would put obstacles in the way of those who wanted to partake in the democratic process”, he said.
“I find it appalling and peculiar that the Council officials denied a request for a Council Official to be in attendance on the day,” he said.
Although registration closed on Tuesday, May 6, Cllr Quinlivan invited other political parties to join in the attempt to increase voter participation in future elections.
A spokesperson for Limerick City Council stated that the onus is on a citizen to make sure they’re registered to vote and the details they provide are correct.
“Limerick City and County Council provided forms to the community event concerned and a Garda was present to sign these forms and check identification and proof of residence so that voters could then be added to the Electoral Register,” the council spokesperson said.
