Voting or not voting - make sure you're on the register

national | politics / elections | opinion/analysis

Saturday April 07, 2007 02:38

by Voter

Not too late to register using form RFA2

Some people don't think much of elections, but it's important to remnember that they concentrate the minds of the establishment.

From Spain in the 30's, Chile in the 70's, to modern day Venezuela, democratic elections have thrown up results which have rocked the forces of right-wing conservatism to the core.

While some people think you shouldn't vote, most people believe it's important to register.

Simply being on the register of voters gives you leverage over the politicians who call to your door in the next few weeks.

Download form RFA2 and return it to your local authority to join the supplement to the register. You can also pick up the form at Post Offices.

- Who is eligible to vote in the upcoming general election?

Only Irish and British citizens can vote in the election.

To be eligible to be included on the Register of Electors, you must:

- be at least 18 years old on the day the Register comes into force (15 February)
- have been ordinarily resident in the State on 1 September in the year preceding the coming into force of the Register

You are eligible for inclusion in the supplement to the Register of Electors on or after the day on which you reach 18 years of age. You can be included if this birthday falls after the closing date for applications but is on or before polling day. If you are within this category, you should accompany your application with a copy of your birth certificate.

Students living away from home while attending college have the choice of being registered at either their home address or their student residential address.

Even if you're not going to exercise your right to vote- make sure your absence is noted by getting your name on the register.