A number of Galway county councillors have criticised the inaccuracy of the current updating system of the county’s election register.
Councillors raised their concerns as the chamber was approving a name change of two of the county’s polling stations.
Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Hoade said that at the recent General Election, clerks had noted a number of deceased people were still on the register, with Tuam area councillor saying it was “deeply offensive” for families to receive correspondence for a deceased loved one.
Cllr Jim Cuddy described the register as “completely inaccurate” citing cases where people were voting in one constituency for the local elections and voting in another for the General Election.
Caothairleach of the Galway County Council Jimmy McClearn acknowledged that problems with updating the register was a issue all over the country but also said the system was out of date.
He said; “We are still doing the [register updating] the same way since foundation of State. It is not good enough.”
In response to the councillors’ criticisms director of services, Alan Farrell, said the local authority was currently reviewing the process of register updating to make sure they were as accurate as possible.
He also said any constituent who was being moved to a new constituency was sent a letter informing them of the change.
