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.

Download this form to go on the supplement to the register 0.06 Mb

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Comments (7 of 7)

Venezuela and democracy

by William Wall

Wed May 09, 2007 10:34

Considering that Chavez has won more votes in more elections/referenda by bigger majorities than any of the politicians who charge him with being un-democratic....
What everybody is afraid of in Ireland (and the UK, the USA, etc) is anything radical. The level of so-called 'thinking' that goes in Irish politics would shame a primary school kid. Most of it is dedicated to making minute adjustments to public perception without ever acting on principle.
"In societies dominated by modern conditions of production, life is presented as an immense accumulation of spectacles. Everything that was directly lived has receded into a representation."
Guy Debord, The Society of the Spectacle

Spain, Chile, Venezuela

by milkshake

Mon Apr 09, 2007 01:18

maybe the author of this pieces was making a deliberate point about democracy by picking Spain in the 30's, Chile in the 70's and Venezuela now.

All elections which were followed by right-wing attacks on the left-wing governments.

Would Ireland suffer attack by the right-wing establishment if the population went crazy and voted in a (genuinely) leftist government? Only one way to find out...

"No matter who you vote for...

by E.A.B

Sat Apr 07, 2007 20:26

The government always win"

Ticking boxes doesn't do much, if you spend a few minutes on this very website, you'll see people going beyond that in their day to day lives.

Boring

by Bolivarian

Sat Apr 07, 2007 14:39

Great insight into Venezuela there comrade, no doubt plucked from the pages of The Economist and Fox News, since it has precisely zero connection with what's actually happening in the country. Methinks you should research a little harder before mouthing off.

Spain in the 30's?

by Not voting majority.

Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:04

Spain in the 30's showed the futility of voting, the CNT led revolution did more in a few months than years of Republican government ever would/could/did. The revolution betrayed itself only when Garcia Oliver entered government breathing life and legitimacy back into the corpse of statist-reaction.

You also reference Chile in the 70's, do you know what happened after the leftist government was elected, a US backed coup overthrew it - proof that you can't destroy the masters house with the masters tools.

As for modern day Venezuela, they'll be lucky if they are ever allowed to have elections again Chavez is so madly in love with himself.

Shite Photo

by C Murray

Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:09

O Mi Gawd- but if you want to rock the fucking vote, you should start telling the
fucking truth to the kids who may think they are empowered but are consistently
lied to by a group of politicaL PARTIES with nothing between them- at all.

FG have not opposed a single Bill- including the sex laws that criminalise kids.
Labour have not supported the nurses.
The 'Left' are centre-right.
and if ye put an electric guitar between a pair of boobs thats going to make people vote?

Have some respect for the intelligence of Irish Kids- who know the present government
is corrupt and a load of shite- most I have heard would not bother to vote, cos politics
is dominated by idiocy of the worse order. (and btw- they are overweight too, most of the
front bench of Lab and ff have weight problems).

Kill that nauseating picture!

..."Whatever you think, just vote. For Scotland’s sake"

by sew, needlework, embroidery, sails, garters, flags & co. ltd

Sat Apr 07, 2007 04:31

a wee link to today's weegie bashtards newspaper's feature article pleading with the voters to voter for Scotland, UN security council seats, & independence from yankee corruption whilst taking the time out - might I remind ye - taking the time out - to get downright cynical about What happens to democracy if people - "the people" - can't be bothered? aye. what happens if you knee you in the ghoulies? http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.va...0.php

as an anarchist I condemn the author(s) of this article for their wanton electioneering abuse of all that a wholesome Irish Easter should represent.

iosaf.

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

Comments (7 of 7)