STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS.

S.I. No. 341 of 1999.

ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1999

S.I. No. 341 of 1999.

ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1999.

Arrangement of Regulations

PART I

Preliminary and General

PART II

Nominations

PART III

Death of Candidate

PART IV

The Poll

PART V

Documents relating to Postal Voters

Chapter I

Documents relating to Postal Voters

Chapter II

Arrangements for the Counting of the Votes

Chapter III

Rules for the Counting of the Votes

PART VI

Electoral Offences

SCHEDULE

PART I

PART II

S.I. No. 341 of 1999.

ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1999.

I, SÍle DE VALERA, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 33 of the údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979 (No. 5 of 1979) , as adapted by the Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order, 1997 ( S.I. No. 306 of 1997 ), hereby make the following Regulations, a draft of which has been approved by a resolution passed by each House of the Oireachtas:

PART I

Preliminary and General

Citation and construction.

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the údarás na Gaeltachta Elections (Amendment) Regulations, 1999.

(2) The údarás na Gaeltachta Elections Regulations, 1979 and 1994, and these Regulations shall be construed together as one and may be cited together as the údarás na Gaeltachta Elections Regulations, 1979 to 1999.

Interpretation.

2. In these Regulations “the Principal Regulations” means the údarás na Gaeltachta Elections Regulations, 1979 ( S.I. No. 355 of 1979 ) as amended by the údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Regulations, 1994 ( S.I. No. 103 of 1994 ).

Amendment of certain definitions and references.

3. Regulation 2(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) by the substitution for the definition of “the Act” of the following definition:

“‘the Act’” means the údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979 ( No. 5 of 1979 ), as amended by the údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act, 1999 ( No. 11 of 1999 ), and the údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1999 ( No. 27 of 1999 );”,

(b) by the substitution for the definition of “postal voter” of the following definition:

“‘postal voter’ means a person whose name is included in the postal voters list prepared by the registration authority pursuant to--

(a) section 14 of the Electoral Act, 1992 ( No. 23 of 1992 ) (as amended by paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 4 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1996 ( No. 43 of 1996 )), or

(b) section 63 of the Electoral Act, 1997 ( No. 25 of 1997 );” and

(c) by the substitution for the definition of “the register of local government electors” of the following definition:

“'the register of local government electors' means the register of local government electors and includes the supplement to the register, the postal voters list, the supplement to the postal voters list, the special voters list and the supplement to the special voters list;”.

Names of constituencies.

4. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the substitution for Regulation 4 of the following Regulation:

“4. (1) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(a) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht Dhún na nGall.

(2) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(b) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht Mhaigh Eo.

(3) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(c) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht na Gaillimhe.

(4) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(d) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht na Mí.

(5) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(e) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht Chiarraí.

(6) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(f) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht Chorcaí.

(7) The constituency specified in section 29(1)(g) of the Act shall be called Gaeltacht Phort Láirge.”.

Polling scheme.

5. Regulation 5 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) by the insertion after paragraph (1) of the following paragraph:

“(1A) The returning officer shall endeavour to appoint as polling places only such areas as shall allow the returning officer to provide at each polling place at least one polling station which is accessible to wheelchair users.”, and

(b) by the insertion after paragraph (3) of the following paragraph:

“(3A) (a) Where it is not practicable to provide a polling station which is accessible to wheelchair users at a polling place, the returning officer may appoint an alternative polling place at which it is practicable to provide a polling station which is accessible to wheelchair users for the polling district concerned.

(b) As soon as may be after the appointment of an alternative polling place for a polling district under subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, the returning officer shall notify in writing details of such appointment to the Minister.”.

Manner of voting.

6. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the insertion after Regulation 7 of the following Regulation:

“7A. Subject to Regulations 33(1) and 33E, a person who is entitled to vote at an election shall be entitled tovote in person only and at the polling station allotted to him or her or, in case the person is authorised under Regulation 37A or Regulation 42 by a returning officer, at the polling station specified in the authorisation.”.

General provisions as to agents.

7. Regulation 12(3) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “in the detection of personation” of “and such appointment shall be in writing and shall be produced to the presiding officer for the polling station concerned”.

PART II

Nominations

Deposit by candidates

8. Regulation 16(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “£10” of “£50”.

Return or disposal of deposit.

9. Regulation 17(3) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “personal representative” of “(within the meaning of section 3 of the Succession Act, 1965 ( No. 27 of 1965 )).”.

Times for receiving nominations

10. Regulation 18 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “seventh day” of “(disregarding any excluded day)”.

Delivery of nomination papers.

11. Regulation 19(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “within the times specified in Regulation 18” of “by the candidate or the proposer of the candidate”.

Withdrawal of candidate.

12. Regulation 23(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “not later than the latest time for receipt of nominations” of “not later than the hour of 12 noon on the day (disregarding any excluded day) next following the latest day for receiving nominations”.

Procedure after nominations.

13. Regulation 26 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended in paragraphs (1) and (2), by the insertion after “If, at 12 noon on the day” of “(disregarding any excluded day)” at each place where it occurs.

PART III

Death of Candidate

Death of a candidate.

14. Regulation 27 of the Principal Regulation is hereby amended--

(a) in paragraph 2(f), by the substitution for “such day being not more than seven days” of “the seventh day (disregarding any excluded day)”, and

(b) in paragraph (3)(a), by the substitution for “the ballot papers destroyed” of “the ballot papers shall be destroyed by the returning officer”.

PART IV

The Poll

Issue of postal ballot papers

15. Regulation 33 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) in paragraph (3)(a), by the insertion after “marked with the official mark” of “which shall be embossed or perforated so as to be visible on both sides of it”, and

(b) in paragraph (6), by the insertion after “Where an envelope” of “containing a ballot paper and the other documents referred to in paragraph (4)”.

Regulations 331A and 33IIA.

16. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the insertion after Regulation 33 of the following Regulations:

(a) an elector whose name is so entered in the postal voters list, in order to vote, shall in a Garda Síochána station in the presence of a member ofthe Garda Síochána do the following things in the following order--

(i) produce to the member of the Garda Síochána the envelope addressed to the elector pursuant to Regulation 33(4), the ballot paper (in relation to which the member of the Garda Síochána shall establish that it is unmarked) and a form of declaration of identity in Foirm UG8;

(ii) complete and sign the said declaration of identity;

(iii) hand the declaration of identity to the member of the Garda Síochána who shall, on being satisfied as to the identity of the person who has signed the declaration, witness the signature and stamp the declaration of identity with the stamp of the Garda Síochána station and destroy the envelope addressed to the elector;

(iv) mark, in secret, the ballot paper;

(v) place the marked ballot paper in the ballot paper envelope, and effectually seal such envelope;

(vi) place the ballot paper envelope and the completed declaration of identity in the covering envelope and effectually seal that envelope;

and shall send the last-mentioned envelope by post to the returning officer;

(b) a reference to ‘receipt’, in relation to documents appropriate to such electors, shall be construed as a reference to ‘declaration of identity’; and

(c) a reference to ‘receipt duly signed’, in relation to such documents shall be construed as a reference to ‘declaration of identity duly signed and witnessed and stamped with the stamp of the Garda Síochána station'.

(2) In this Regulation ‘ballot paper envelope’ and ‘covering envelope’ shall have the meanings assigned to them by Regulation 33(4).

(2) The receipt sent with the ballot papers to postal voters shall have printed thereon the instructions to the voter and a statement of the offences and penalties contained in Part VI of these Regulations in so far as they relate to postal voting.”.

Regulation 34A and 34B.

17. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the insertion after Regulation 34 of the following Regulations:

(a) securely seal the envelope;

(b) endorse thereon, and sign, a statement that the envelope has been sealed by the returning officer with the contents intact;

(c) place the sealed envelope in a postal voters ballot box;

(d) thereafter treat the envelope as a covering envelope;

and any reference in these Regulations to a covering envelope shall be construed as including a reference to an envelope which has been dealt with by the returning officer in accordance with this Regulation.

(a) seal each postal voters ballot box so that no further papers can be inserted therein, or

(b) forthwith open each such box and extract and deal with the contents thereof in accordance with Chapter 1 of Part V of these Regulations.”.

Reception and custody of postal ballot papers.

18. Regulation 34(1)(b) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “shall then seal it and” of “each such box shall be sealed with the seal of the returning officer and the seal of such agents as desire to affix their seals to it and the returning officer shall”.

Use of schools and public premises for taking poll.

19. Regulation 36(5) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “In this Regulation ‘school” of “means any school receiving a grant out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and”.

Polling stations.

20. Regulation 37 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) by the insertion after paragraph (1) of the following paragraph:

“(1A) The returning officer shall, where practicable, provide polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users.”,

(b) by the insertion after paragraph (3) of the following paragraph:

“(3A) The returning officer shall, where practicable, give public notice of all polling stations which are inaccessible to wheelchair users not later than the eighth day before polling day.”, and

(c) in paragraph (5), by the insertion after subparagraph (g) of the following subparagraphs:

“(gg) such other arrangements as may serve to facilitate the marking and placing in the ballot box of ballot papers by voters who are wheelchair users,

(ggg) such arrangements as may be provided for by regulations under section 94(5)(j) of the Electoral Act 1992, for the time being in force as may serve to facilitate voters with visual impairments to mark their ballot papers without assistance,”.

Polling on islands.

21. Regulation 39 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) in paragraph (1)(b), by the substitution for “at or before the hour of 9 a.m. on the day next following the polling day” of “at or before the time fixed for the commencement of the count”,

(b) in paragraph (1), by the substitution for “day next following the latest date for receipt of nominations” of “sixth day before said polling day”,

(c) in paragraph (2), by the insertion after “In the case of any poll” of “(whether taken on the polling day appointed by the Minister or otherwise)”,

(d) in paragraph (2)(a), by the insertion after “where, owing to” of “stress of weather or”, and

(e) in paragraph (2)(b), by the substitution for “at or before the hour of 9 a.m. on the day next following the polling day” of “at or before the time fixed for the commencement of the count”.

Admission to polling station.

22. Regulation 41(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) in subparagraph (a), by the insertion after “any deputy” of “or representative”, and

(b) by the insertion after subparagraph (b) of the following subparagraph:

“(bb) a candidate at the election for the constituency at which the poll is being taken at the station,”.

Voting by blind, incapacitated and illiterate electors.

23. Regulation 45 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended--

(a) in paragraph (3), by the insertion after “shall mark the ballot paper for the elector and shall fold it and” of “show the back of the folded ballot paper to the presiding officer so as to disclose the official mark and”,

(b) in paragraph (5), by the insertion after “the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the” of “elector and the”, and

(c) by the substitution for paragraph (9) of the following paragraph:

“(9) A person shall not mark as a companion a ballot paper at an election if that person has not reached the age of 16 years or is a candidate or agent of a candidate at the election.”.

Questions and oath to voters at election.

24. Regulation 46(3) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “the right of that person to vote” of “and no objection thereto shall be made or received by any returning officer or presiding officer”.

Right to vote.

25. Regulation 46A of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraph (2) of the following paragraph:

“(2) The documents mentioned in paragraph (1) of this Regulation are: a passport; a driving licence; an employee or student identity card; a book for payment of Social Welfare allowances, benefits or pensions; amedical card; a free travel card issued by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; a travel document containing the name and photograph of the holder; a signing on card (UB 15 or UA 22) issued by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; a Social Services Card issued by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; a bank or savings bank book; a cheque book; a cheque card; a credit card; a credit union membership card; a birth certificate; a marriage certificate.”.

PART V

The Counting of the Votes

Chapter I

Documents relating to Postal Voters

Opening of postal ballot boxes.

26. Regulation 54 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraph (3) of the following paragraph:

“(3) The postal ballot boxes shall be opened before the time fixed for the counting of the votes.”.

Chapter II

Arrangements for the Counting of the Votes

Place for the counting of votes.

27. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the substitution for Regulation 58 of the following Regulation:

“58. The returning officer shall appoint a convenient place as the place at which he or she will count the votes and shall, at the place so appointed, provide suitable accommodation and all furniture and equipment necessary for counting the votes in accordance with these Regulations and shall make adequate arrangements for the safe custody of the ballot papers and other documents relating to the election.

(2) The returning officer shall, where practicable, ensure that the place appointed under paragraph (1) is accessible to wheelchair users.”.

Attendance at counting of votes.

28. Regulation 59(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “two days” of “4 days”.

Preliminary proceedings.

29. Regulation 60(1) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “At the hour of 9 a.m.” of “Not later than the hour of 9 a.m.”.

Time for the counting of the votes.

30. Regulation 61 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraph (1) of the following paragraph:

“(1) The returning officer shall, so far as practicable, proceed continuously with the counting of votes, allowing time only for necessary rest and refreshment.”.

Chapter III

Rules for the Counting of the Votes

Definitions (Part V, Chapter III).

31. Regulation 63 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraphs (b) and (c) of the following paragraphs in the definition of “count”:

“(b) all the operations involved in the transfer of the surplus of a candidate deemed to be elected;

(c) all the operations involved in the transfer of the votes of an excluded candidate; or

(d) all the operations involved in the transfer of the votes of two or more candidates excluded together;”.

Filling of last vacancies.

32. Regulation 70(3) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “one third of the quota” of “one quarter of the quota”.

PART VI

Electoral Offences

Breach of secrecy.

33. Regulation 80(3) of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after “guilty of an offence if” of “, except for some purpose authorised by law,”.

Interference with or destruction of postal ballot papers and obstruction or interference with electors.

34. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the substitution for Regulation 87A of the following Regulation:

87A. (1) A person who, at an election--

(a) wilfully and without lawful authority takes, destroys, conceals, opens or otherwise interferes with any ballot paper or other document sent to a postal voter under these Regulations, or

(b) without lawful authority knowingly supplies any such ballot paper or other document to a person other than the person lawfully entitled to receive it,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence under this Regulation or who solicits or incites any other person to commit such an offence shall be guilty of an offence.”.

Penalties.

35. The Principal Regulations are hereby amended by the substitution for Regulation 93 of the following Regulation:

“93. (1) Where a person is guilty of an offence under these Regulations, other than an offence mentioned in paragraph (2), such a person shall--

(a) on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or

(b) on conviction on indictment be liable to a fine not exceeding £2,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

(2) Where a person is guilty of an offence under Regulations 83, 88 or 91A, such person shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or, at the discretion of the count, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”.

Compensation where change of personation is unjustly made or not prosecuted.

36. Regulation 94 of the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for “one hundred pounds” of “£500”.

Amendment of forms.

37. The Schedule to the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the substitution for Foirm UG1 (Páipéar Ainmniúcháin), Foirm UG3 (Cárta Faisnéise Vótaíochta), Foirm UG4 (Foirm um Dhearbhú Céannachta ó Vótálaí Speisialta -- Vótálaithe le míchumas fhisiceacha a bhfuil cónaí orthu in ospidéil, tithe altranais, srl.), Foirm UG6 (Cuntas ar Pháipéir Bhallóide Speisialta) and Foirm UG7 (Foirm um Dhearbhú Céannachta ó Phostvótálaí -- Taidhleoirí atá i seirbhís thar lear agus a gcéilí) of the forms set out in Part I of the Schedule to these Regulations.

Insertion of Foirm UG8.

38. The Schedule to the Principal Regulations is hereby amended by the insertion after Foirm UG7 of the form (Foirm UG8: Foirm um Dhearbhú Céannachta ó Phostvótálaí -- oibrithe agus mic léinn a bhíonn as baile ar an lá vótála) set out in Part II of the Schedule to these Regulations.

SCHEDULE

Regulations 37

and 38

Part I

“FOIRM UG 1

TOGHCHÁN D'ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA

PÁIPÉAR AINMNIÚCHÁIN

(Éadan na Foirme)

1. Tá mé ag ainmniú an duine atá ainmnithe thíos mar iarrthóir i gcomhair toghcháin d'údarás na Gaeltachta don toghlach dá ngairtear Gaeltacht

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2. Léigh mé na nótaí atá ar chúl na foirme seo agus dearbhaím go gcreidim nach bhfuil an duine atá ainmnithe mar iarrthóir dícháilithe lena thoghadh.

Síniú............................................................ ........

Seoladh............................................................ ...

Dáta............................................................ ........

Uimhir agus litir/litreacha cheantar vótaíochta an mholtóra ar an liosta toghthóirí.......................................(Le cur isteach más duine seachas an t-iarrthóir a chomhlánóidh an fhoirm seo.)

Rialaím go bhfuil an páipéar ainmniúchain seo bailí (nó - neamhbhailí toisc

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Ceann Comhairimh

Dáta.......................................................

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Le tabhairt don iarrthóir nó le cur chuige

Rialaigh mé go bhfuil an páipéar ainmniúcháin uimh................................... le....................... (Cuir isteach ainm an iarrthóra) do thoghlach dá ngairtear Gaeltacht .............................. bailí (nó-neamhbhailí toisc .........................

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Ceann Comhairimh

Seoladh ..................................................

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Dáta.......................................................

PÁIPÉAR AINMNIÚCHÁIN (ar leanúint)

(Cúl na Foirme)

Níl sna nótaí seo ach treoir agus ní ráiteas cinntitheach ar an dlí iad.

Ainmniú:

1. Féadfaidh iarrthóir é féin/í féin a ainmniú nó féadfaidh moltóir é/í a ainmniú, lena chead nó lena cead. Ní foláir do mholtóir a bheith cláraithe mar thoghthóir sa toghlach dá bhfuil sé beartaithe aige/aici an t-iarrthóir a ainmniú. (Rialachán 15 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

Éarlais:

2. Measfar go mbeidh iarrthóireacht iarrthóra tarraingthe siar mura dtaiscfear éarlais £50 leis an gceann comhairimh tráth nach déanaí ná 12 meán lae an dáta is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh. Is ceart an éarlais a bheith ina dhlíthairiscint nó féadfar, le toiliú an cheann comhairimh, í a íoc in aon slí éile. (Rialachán 16 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

An éarlais a thabhairt ar ais:

3. Tabharfar an éarlais ar ais--

(a) má tharraingíonn iarrthóireacht nó a hiarrthóireacht siar tráth nach déanaí ná 12 meán lae ar an lá (seachas aon lá eisiata) i ndiaidh an lá is déanaí chun ainmiúcháin a ghlacadh,

(b) má fhaigheann iarrthóir bás sula gcríochnófar an vótaíocht,

(c) mura mbeidh iarrthóir ainmnithe go bailí mar iarrthóir roimh an tráth is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh,

(d) má thoghtar iarrthóir,

(e) mura dtoghfar iarrthóir ach go mbeidh thar cheathrú an chuóta aige/aici an uair a bheidh an líon is mó vótaí creidiúnaithe dó/di ag aon chéim de chomhaireamh na vótaí.

Tabharfar an éarlais ar ais don duine a thabharfaidh é agus ba chóir a ainm nó a hainm a chur isteach ag 3 ar éadan na foirme seo. (Rialachán 17 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

Páipéar Ainmniúcháin a Sheachadadh:

4. Ní foláir don iarrthóir nó dá mholtóir an páipéar ainmniúcháin comhlánaithe a sheachadadh go pearsanta don cheann comhairimh laistigh de na tráthanna a bheidh socraithe chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh. (Rialachán 18 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

Rialú ar Pháipéar Ainmniúcháin:

5. Tabharfaidh an ceann comhairimh rialú ar bhailíocht an pháipéir ainmniúcháin laistigh d'uair an chloig tar éis é a sheachadadh air nó uirthi. Tá ceangal air nó uirthi cur i gcoinne ainm iarrthóra más rud é -- (a) nach é an t-ainm sin an t-ainm a thugtar de ghnaith ar an iarrthóir, nó (b) go bhfuil an t-ainm sin míthreorach agus gur dóigh go gcuirfeadh sé daoine amú; nó (c) go bhfuil an t-ainm sin rófhada; nó (d) go bhfuil tagairt pholaitiúil san ainm sin. Beidh an t-iarrthóir agus a mholtóir, más ann, agus duipe amháin eile a roghnódh an t-iarrthóir (nó a mholtóir nó a moltóir) i dteídeal bheith i láthair le linn an rialú a bheith á thabhairt agusní bheidh duine ar bith eile i láthair mura gceadóidh an ceann comhairimh é. (Rialachán 21 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

Dícháiliúchán a bhaineann le duine a thoghadh d'údarás na Gaeltachta:

6. Ní bheidh duine intofa mura mbeidh aois ocht mbliana déag slánaithe aige/aici an lá vótaíochta. (Alt 30 den Acht um údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979.)

Píonóis:

7. Dlífear priosúnacht nó fíneáil a chur ar dhuine--

(a) má thugann sé/sí páipéar ainmniúcháin ar aird don cheann comhairimh agus a fhios aige/aici go bhfuil brionnú déanta air (Rialachán 81 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

(b) má ainmníonn sé/sí iarrthóir nó má tharraingionn sé/sí siar iarrthóireacht iarrthóra gan a chead nó a cead (Rialachán 84 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.)

(c) má dhéanann sé/sí dearbhú bréagach go gcreideann sé/sí nach bhfuil an duine a d'ainmnigh sé/sí mar iarrthóir dícháilithe lena thogadh nó lena toghadh (Rialachán 85 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979 go 1999.).

FOIRM UG 3

TOGHCHÁN D'ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA

CÁRTA FAISNÉISE VÓTAÍOCHTA

(Éadan an Chárta)

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(Cúl an Chárta)

FAISNÉIS CÉANNACHTA

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pas; ceadúnas tiomána; cárta céannachta fostaí nó cárta céannachta mic léinn; leabhar le haghaidh liúntais, sochair nó pinsin Leasa Shóisialaigh a íoc; cárta liachta; cárta saorthaistil arna eisiúint ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha, Pobail agus Teaghlaigh; doiciméad taistil ar a bhfuil d'ainm agus do ghrianghraf; síniú ar chárta (UB 15 nó UA 22) arna eisiúint ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha, Pobail agus Teaghlaigh; Cárta Seirbhísi Sóisialacha arna eisiúint ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha, Pobail agus Teaghlaigh; leabhar bainc nó leabhar banc-thaisce; seicleabhar; seic-chárta; cárta creid-mheasa; cárta comhaltais comhair chreidmheasa; deimhniú breithe; deimhniú pósta.

DÉAN DEIMHIN DE CEANN DE NA CÁIPÉISÍ SEO A THABHAIRT LEAT GO DTÍ AN STÁISIÚN VÓTAÍOCHTA. MURA mBÍONN CEANN ACU LEAT, BEIDH SEANS ANN NACH gCEADÓFAR DUIT VÓTÁIL.

FOIRM UG 4

TOGHCHÁN D'ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA

FOIRM UM DHEARBHÚ CÉANNACHTA Ó VÓTÁLAÍ SPEISIALTA

(Vótálaithe le míchumais fhisiceacha a bhfuil cónaí orthu in ospidéil, tithe altranais, srl.)

Ainm an Vótálaí Speisialta __________________________________________________________________________

(BLOCLITREACHA)

Seoladh ________________________________________________________________________________________

(BLOCLITREACHA)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Uimhir ar an Liosta Vótálaithe Speisialta ________________________________________________________________

Dearbhaím gur mise an duine lena mbaineann na sonraí thuasluaite.

Síniú an Vótalaí Speisialta __________________________________________________________________________

(nó marc mura bhfuil scríobh aige/aici)

Táim sásta maidir le céannacht an vótálaí speisialta agus leis sin fianaím a shíniú/a síniú nó a mharc/a marc.

............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ .........

NÓTAÍ

1. Is éard a tharlaíonn le haghaidh na vótála speisialta go ndéanann Oifigeach Ceannais Speisialta (OCS) páipéar ballóide a sheachadadh ar an vótálaí speisialta le comhlanú san institiúid ina bhfuil cónaí air/uirthi. Bíonn comhalta den Gharda Síochána in éineacht leis an OCS chun deimhin a dhéanamh de gur ann don leibheál céanna slándála le haghaidh vótála speisialta is a bhíonn ann le haghaidh vótála ag stáisiún vótála.

2. Seo a leanas próiseas na vótála speisialta:

•  Comhlánaíonn agus síníonn nó marcálann an vótalaí an dearbhú céannachta;

•  Fianaíonn an OCS an dearbhú agus, má tá sé/sí sásta le céannacht an vótálaí, stampálann sé/sí páipéar ballóide leis an marc oifigiúil, cuireann marc láimh le hainm an vótálaí ar an liosta vótálaithe speisialta agus tugann an páipéar ballóide agus an clúdach páipéir bhallóide don vótálaí;

•  I láthair an OCS agus an Gharda amháin, vótálann an vótálaí speisialta faoi rún, filleann an páipéar ballóide chun a vóta a cheilt, cuireann an páipéar ballóide i gclúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, séalaíonn an clúdach agus tugann don OCS é. Má mhilleann vótálaí a pháipéar nó a páipéar ballóide trí dhearmad, féadfaidh an OCS páipéar ballóide eile (stampáilte leis an marc oifigiúil) a thabhairt dó/di.

3. Mura bhfuil sé ar chumas an vótálaí speisialta vótáí gan chúnamh, féadfaidh an OCS, i láthair an Gharda, cabhrú leis/léi tríd na sonraí ar an bpáipéar ballóide a léamh amach dó/di agus é a mharcáil de réir mar a ordaíonn an vótálaí.

4. Ní mór éirí as an vótáil mura bhfuil sé ar chumas an vótálaí vótáil gan chúnamh agus nach bhfuil sé ar a chumas nó ar a chumas treoracha soiléire a thabhairt don OCS faoin gcaoi a dteastaíonn uaidh/uaithi go marcálfaí an páipéar ballóide. Nil cead ag an OCS feidhmiú ar aon treoir ón vótálaí i bhfoirm scríbhinne agus ní cheadaítear d'aon duine nach é/í an OCS é/í cabhrú le vótálaí a vóta chaitheamh.

FOIRM UG 6

TOGHCHáN D'úDARáS NA GAELTACHTA

CUNTAS AR PHáIPéIR BHALLóIDE SPEISIALTA

Toghlach ________________________________________________________________________

Tabhair an líon:

Deimhním go bhfuil an Cuntas seo fíor cruinn

FOIRM UG 7

TOGHCHáN D'úDARáS NA GAELTACHTA

FOIRM UM DHEARBHú CéANNACHTA ó PHOSTVóTáLAí

(Taidhleoirí atá i seirbhís thar lear agus a gcéilí)

Dearbhaím leis seo gur mise an duine ar sheol an ceann comhairimh chuige/chuici an clúdach litreach postvótálaí a thaispeánaim anois.

Síniú an Phostvótálaí _______________________________________________________________________________

Ainm an Phostvótálaí ______________________________________________________________________________

(BLOCLITREACHA)

Ambasáid/Misean/Consalacht _______________________________________________________________________

(BLOCLITREACHA)

Tá an postvótálaí a shínigh an dearbhú seo i ndiaidh páipéar ballóide, gan mhare air, a thaispeáint dom. Táim sásta maidir le céannacht an phostvótálaí agus leis sin fianaím a shíniú/a síniú.

Síniú an Duine údaraithe ____________________________________________________________________________

Dáta ______________________________________________

............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ..........

NÓTAÍ

1. Clúdaíonn an fhoirm seo státseirbhísigh atá i seirbhí lasmuigh den Stát mar bhaill de mhisin thaidhleoireachta nó de phoist chonsalachta, nó céile státseirbhíseach den sórt sin. Is iad na daoine údaraithe na daoine sin atá ceaptha ag Ard-Rúnaí na Roinne Gnóthaí Eachtracha chun bheith i láthair le linn do phostvótálaí bheith ag vótáil.

2. Sa chlúdach litreach a fhaightear ón gceann comhairimh ba chóir go mbeadh na doiciméid seo a leanas, mar aon leis an bhfoirm seo:

•  páipéar ballóide agus clúdach beag don pháipéar ballóide (“clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide”), agus

•  forchlúdach a bhfuil seoladh an cheann chomhairimh air.

3. Ní mór don phostvótálaí na nithe seo a leanas a thaispeáint don duine udaraithe:

(a) an clúdach litreach a sheol an ceann comhairimh chuige/chuici,

(b) an páipéar ballóide (gan mharc air), agus

(c) an fhoirm um dhearbhú céannachta seo.

4. I láthair an duine údaraithe, ní mór don phostvótálaí:

(a) an dearbhú céannachta a comhlánú agus a shíniú agus a iarraidh ar an duine údaraithe an síniú a fhianú,

(b) vótáil faoi rún,

(c) an páipéar ballóide a chur i gclúdach an pháipéir bhallóide agus an clúdach a shéalú,

(d) clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide agus an dearbhú céannachta comhlánaithe a chur san fhorchlúdach a bhfuil seoladh an cheann chomhairimh air agus an clúdach sin a shéalú.

5. Socróidh an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha go gcuirfear na forchlúdaigh sa phost chun go sroichfidh siad an ceann comhairimh in am don chomhaireamh.

6. Is cion faoin dlí é má dhéanann aon duine:

(a) go toiliúil agus gan údarás dleathach, páipéar ballóide nó doiciméad eile a sheoltar chuig postvótálaí a thógáil, a dhíothú, a cheilt, a oscailt nó baint dó ar shlí eile;

(b) gan údarás dleathach, aon pháipéar ballóide nó doiciméad eile a sheoltar chuig postvótálaí a sholáthar go feasach do dhuine seachas an duine a bhfuil an páipéar ballóide nó an doiciméad sin ag dul dó/di de réir dlí;

(c) iarracht cur isteach ar, nó má chuireann duine isteach go díreach ar, phostvótálaí maidir lena pháipéar ballóide nó a páipéar ballóide a fháil, a mharcáil nó a sheoladh ar ais, nó má dhéanann aon duine iarracht teacht ar fhaisnéis faoi iarrthóir ar nó nár thug vótálaí dá leithéid a vóta dó/di;

(d) páipéar ballóide a iarraidh ina ainm nó ina hainm féin i dtoghchán tar éis dó/di páipéar ballóide a fháil uair amháin sa toghchán sin.

Is coin é chomh maith má thugtar cabhair, spreagadh, comhairle nó má sholáthraítear do dhuine chun aon cheann de na cionta luaite faoi (a), (b) nó (d) thuas a dhéanamh, nó má iarrtar nó má chuirtear ina luí ar aon duine eile cion dá leithéid a dhéanamh.

Má bhíonn duine ciontach in aon cheann de na cionta a luaitear thuas, gearrfar ar an duine:

(a) ar é/í a chiontú go hachomair, fineáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó an phríosúnacht sin agus an fhíneáil sin in éineacht; nó

(b) ar é/í a chiontú ar dhíotáil, fineáil nach mó ná £2,500 nó de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an phríosúnacht sin agus an fhineáil sin in éineacht.”.

Part II

“FOIRM UG 8

TOGHCHÁN D'ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA

FOIRM UM DHEARBHÚ CÉANNACHTA Ó PHOSTVÓTÁLAÍ

(Oibrithe agus mic léinn a bhíonn as baile ar an lá vótála)

(a) Le comhlánú ag an postvótálaí

Dearbhaím gur mise an duine ar sheof an ceann comhairimh chuige/chuici an clúdach litreach postvótálaí a thaispeánaim anois.

Síniú an Phostvótálaí _______________________________________________________________________________

Ainm an Phostvótálaí ______________________________________________________________________________

(BLOCLITREACHA)

Seoladh ________________________________________________________________________________________

(BLOCLITREACHA)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ..........

(b) Le comhlanú ag ball den Gharda Síochána

Tá an postvótálaí a shínigh an dearbhú seo i ndiaidh páipéar ballóide, gan mharc air, a thaispeáint dom. Táim i ndiaidh an clúdach litreach postvótála a sheol an ceann comhairimh chuige/chuici a scriosadh, taim sásta maidir le céannacht an phostvótálaí agus leis sin fianaím a shíniú/a síniú.

Síniú an Gharda

............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ..........

NÓTAÍ

1.  Clúdaíonn an fhoirm seo postvótálaithe nach dócha go mbeidís ábalta vóta a chaitheamh ag a stáisiún vótála féin de bharr chúinsí oibre nó toisc iad a bheith ina gconai as baile agus iad ag freastai ar chúrsa iánaimseartha oideachais sa Stát.

2.  Sa chlúdach litreach a fhaightear ón gceann comhairimh ba chóir go mbeadh na doiciméid seo a leanas, mar aon leis an bhfoirm seo:

•  páipéar ballóide agus clúdach beag don pháipéar ballóide (“clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide”), agus

•  forchlúdach le seoladh an cheann chomhairimh air.

3. Ní mór don phostvótálaí na nithe seo a leanas a thaispeáint do Gharda i Stáisiún de chuid an Gharda Síochána:

(a) an clúdach litreach a sheol an ceann comhairimh chuige/chuici,

(b) an páipéar ballóide (gan mharc air), agus

(c) an fhoirm um dhearbhú céannachta seo.

4. I láthair an Gharda, ní mór don phostvótálaí:

(a) an dearbhú céannachta a chomhlánú agus a shíniú agus a iarraidh ar an Garda an síniú a fhianú,

(b) vótáil faoi rún,

(c) an páipéar ballóide a chur i gclúdach an pháipéir bhallóide agus an clúdach a shéalú,

(d) clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide agus an dearbhú céannachta comhlánaithe a chur san fhorchlúdach le seoladh an cheann chomhairimh air agus an clúdach sin a shéalú.

(e) an forchlúdach a chur sa phost láithreach. Mura ndéantar é seo b'fhéidir gur ródhéanach a gheofar an páipéar ballóide chun é a áireamh sa chomhaireamh.

Ní MóR AN PáIPéAR BALLóIDE A CHUR SA PHOST AGUS Ní CHEADAíTEAR é A THABHAIRT DE LáIMH DON CHEANN COMHAIRIMH

5. Ní mór don Gharda:

(a) deimhin a dhéanamh de go dtaispeánann an postvótálaí na doiciméid seo a leanas dó/di, i., an clúdach litreach postvótála a sheol an ceann comhairimh chuig an bpostvótálaí, an dearbhú seo agus páipéar ballóide (gan mharc air),

(b) an clúdach litreach postvótála a sheol an ceann comhairimh chuig an bpostvótálaí a scriosadh,

(c) é/í féin a shásamh maidir le céannacht an phostvótálaí,

(d) dearbhú an phostvótálaí a fhianú agus é a stampáil le stampa Stáisiún an Gharda,

(e) deimhin a dhéanamh de go marcálann an postvótálaí an páipéar ballóide faoi rún ina láthair, agus

(f) deimhin a dhéanamh de go gcuireann an postvótálaí na doiciméid chuí san fhorchlúdach a bhfuil seoladh an cheann chomhairimh air ina láthair (i. i láthair an Gharda).

6. Is cion faoin dlí é má dhéanann aon duine:

(a) go toiliúil agus gan údarás dleathach, páipéar ballóide nó doiciméad eile a sheoltar chuig postvótálaí a thógáil, a dhíothú, a cheilt, a oscailt nó baint dó ar shlí eile;

(b) gan údarás dleathach, aon pháipéar ballóide nó doiciméad eile a sheoltar chuig postvótálaí a sholáthar go feasach do dhuine seachas an duine a bhfuil an páipéar ballóide nó an doiciméad sin ag dui dó/di de réir dlí;

(c) iarracht cur isteach ar, nó má chuireann duine isteach go díreach ar, phostvótálaí maidir lena pháipéar ballóide nó a páipéar ballóide a fháil, a mharcáil nó a sheoladh ar ais, nó má dhéanann aon duine iarracht teacht ar fhaisnéis faoi iarrthóir ar nó nár thug vótálaí dá leithéid a vóta dó/di;

(d) páipéar ballóide a iarraidh ina ainm nó ina hainm féin i dtoghchán tar éis dó/di páipéar ballóide a fháil uair amháin sa toghchán sin.

Is cion é chomh maith má thugtar cabhair, spreagadh, comhairle nó má sholáthraítear do dhuine chun aon cheann de na cionta luaite faoi (a), (b) nó (d) thuas a dhéanamh, nó má iarrtar nó má chuirtear ina luí ar aon duine eiie cion dá leithéid a dhéanamh.

Má bhíonn duine ciontach in aon cheann de na cionta a luaitear thuas, gearrfar ar an duine:

(a) ar é/í a chiontú go hachomair, fineáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosímácht an feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó an phríosúnacht sin agus an fhíneáil sin in éineacht; nó

(b) ar é/í a chiontú ar dhíotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £2,500 nó d e rogha na cúirte, príosúinacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an phríosúnacht sin agus an fhineáil sin in éineacht.”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purort to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations amend the údarás na Gaeltachta Elections Regulations, 1979 and 1994 ( S.I. No. 355 of 1979 and S.I. No. 103 of 1994 ). They provide for a revised constituency structure for elections to údarás na Gaeltachta and for postal voting by electors referred to in section 63 of the Electoral Act, 1997 . The Regulations also amend miscellaneous provisions relating, inter alia, to the deposit to be paid by or on behalf of candidates, polling stations, voting on islands and penalties.