DONEGAL Sinn Féin
election candidates have jointly called for the
general election to be held on a Saturday to
maximise the turnout on polling day.
Cllr. Padraig MacLochlainn and Cllr. Pearse Doherty
said a Saturday would accommodate students, young
people and those working away from home. |
Both were reacting to
the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern saying his preferred day
would be a Thursday.
“Any arguments used against holding weekend
elections in the past are now completely redundant
considering the second referendum on the Treaty of
Nice was held on a Saturday,” they said. |
 |
“Sinn Féin would be
happy to see a late May election date to avoid
another clash with the Leaving Certificate as was
the case in the 2004 local and European elections.”
Cllr. MacLochlainn added: “This would also ensure
there is no clash with college exams in early to mid
May. However, the least we should expect is that
young voters and those working away from home would
be accommodated by a Saturday election.”
Cllrs. MacLochlainn and Doherty also called for a
longer polling time.
“Sinn Féin is proposing that polling stations remain
open until 10pm to ensure the maximum turnout
possible.” |
