Absence of proposers brings fear results may be challenged
THE ABSENCE of proposers on the published list of Borough and County Council candidates raised some eyebrows (and sounded a few alarm bells) in Wexford this week.
The majority of Borough and County Council candidates had no proposer, with Labour the notable exception as all their hopefuls were proposed by Deputy Brendan Howlin.
Others, like Fergie Kehoe and Paddy Nolan of Fianna Fáil, and Fine Gael's Phil Roche and Anna Fenlon also had proposers. However, most didn't, notably all of the Independent candidates were in this bunch.
Francis Mahon, of Belvedere Grove, contacted us to say that 'the failure of the Returning Officer to properly enforce the regulations regarding nominations for election to Wexford Borough Council has left the result of the townspeople's vote open to legal challenge'.
'According to notices published by Pat Collins, Town Clerk, a number of the nominations received by his office have been validated, despite the fact that the nominations do not appear to comply with the relevant electoral regulations.
Francis reckons the regulations require that a person nominated for any elected office must be proposed by someone registered to vote in the area relevant to the body to which election is being sought. He said the fact that some weren't proposed 'leaves the entire electoral process open to potential legal challenge by unsuccessful candidates'.
However, the office of County Secretary Ger Griffin said there is no reason to worry as the answer is a simple one – candidates can (and did) nominate themselves.
This was confirmed by Cllr. Padge Reck, who pointed out that for Independents it's the easiest option as, in contrast to the parties they have to get 15 proposers from the electoral area down to do the honours on their behalf – or they can do it themselves, along with a fee of ¤50 (Borough Council) or ¤100 (County Council).
Padge said paying the few bob is a lot easier than hauling 15 people along with you, which seems to be the general consensus among the non-party candidates. 'The regulations are quite clear and explicit. Pat Collins and Ger Griffin wouldn't send us astray,' he said.
Click on the relevant constituency to see candidates standing for election:
Wexford,
Enniscorthy,
Gorey,
New Ross
