The Irish website Ballotbox.ie has renewed calls for Irish emigrants to be allowed to vote in the upcoming Irish presidential election.
The move came as the website launched a new Ballotbox.ie election, in which members of the Irish Diaspora can cast a symbolic vote for a candidate in the Irish presidential race.
Speaking with IrishCentral, co-founder of Ballotbox.ie, Brian Reynolds, described the huge demand amongst Irish emigrants to play a more active role in Irish politics.
“We are relaunching Ballotbox.ie for the presidential election due to demand from many emigrants who are still desperate to be involved in the future of their country,” he said.
In a statement released on Friday, the election’s organizers lamented that “there has been little progress in the fight for voting rights for Irish people abroad.”
But allowing the Irish Diaspora a greater say in the country’s politics could also prove beneficial to Ireland, Mr. Reynolds explained.
“Keeping recent emigrants involved and with a proper say in how Ireland is run keeps them involved and much more likely to return home with brand new skills and new ideas,” he said.
“With so much talk and so many forums taking place around the theme of how the Irish abroad can help Ireland, it seems the government, like its predecessor is failing to see that part of the solution is staring them in the face.”
The online vote, which opens on Tuesday, comes eight months after the website’s General Election 2011 accurately predicted that Fine Gael would come out on top, but fail to win an overall majority.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.sirpeter | Oct 17, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT
It doesn't matter that the other candidates aren't listed.If I was going to vote for Sean Gallagher I would have voted other.The Tiocfaidh ár lá Peoples Republic of IC have cast their vote and at 48% it looks like Mortin (posh accent)is going to win.So no matter what happens.Mortin"freedom for all"McGuinness will be known on IC as the real President of Ireland.*Bilgegate give us all a few verses of that poem you are writing!! What's it called again?? "Ode to my West Brit ass".
BARNEYKX | Oct 16, 2011, 01:20 PM EDT
Ireland cannot afford a President and all the trappings that go with it,what it dos need is a revolution to get rid of the sharks in leinster house
citizen69 | Oct 16, 2011, 07:23 AM EDT
@Towngate: Surely you know by now that this website is heavily tilted towards Sinn Fein? If this site was ones only exposure to Irish affairs one would think SF run the country when in fact they are a minority party!
citizen69 | Oct 16, 2011, 07:18 AM EDT
No-one who lives outside of Rep of Ireland should have a vote on Irish affairs for their choice will have no bearing on themselves personally. So why should they have the right to vote on something that will affect OTHERS while they bear no consequences of their action? It's bad enough dealing with EU decisions without others putting their oar in also.
Towngate | Oct 16, 2011, 07:10 AM EDT
Censorship is the first resort of the Facist! Publish full details of the IC Poll! Answer questions on multiple voting! Publish the percentage of the million plus IC Membership who voted. Try to explain how 'Your Man' McGuinness' position is ridiculously out of line with every other Poll, with the current leader - by far -Sean Gallagher not even included on your list! We are trying to get rid of these kind of political stunts in Ireland. IC wouldn't be trying to 'pull the wool...', would you?
LilPaddy | Oct 15, 2011, 11:39 PM EDT
We who were born in Ireland (which the majority who give their time to reading I.C. must be) should have every right to vote in our country's elections.... We did not abandon our homeland (since most left because we needed to feed ourselves).... But the fact that we still hold Irish Passports, is in and of itself PROOF POSITIVE THAT WE CONSIDER OURSELF AS "IRISH" FIRST AND FOREMOST....AND NOTHING (not even an American citizenship or passport) WILL CHANGE THAT!!! I for one have been in this BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES of AMERICA since Dec 1960..... And although I have become an American citizen... I HAVE NEVER RETURNED TO MY HOMELAND UNDER ANY PASSPORT OTHER THAN MY IRISH ONE...... For when I return to Ireland... I AM NOT GOING "TO" IRELAND......I AM GOING HOME!!... And when I return.... I am just going back to America... Because, If I was required to give up one Passport.... I would retain my Irish one!!! THE TRUTH IS...My heart never left Ireland... And I believe I should be allowed to vote.... And if you feel the same way? POST IT here on I.C.!! With the above said; I have made comments here on I.C. about Niall O'Dowd (with respect to his possible running for President of Ireland)...... Well, when I made those comments I was unaware that Niall was Born in Ireland, and (although I will apologies to him directly and ask for his forgivness) I now feel that he has every right (and possible obligation) to run AS A FIRST SON OF IRELAND... The best hope for Ireland is THAT THE CREAM WILL RISE TO THE TOP..... And if that be Niall O'Dowd??? Ireland would only be better for it....
canadianirish | Oct 15, 2011, 08:52 PM EDT
Just read that Sean Gallagher is in the lead at 39% BUT this poll was taken BEFORE the latest presidential debate on Wednesday evening. Having watched that debate, I was most impressed by Martin McGuinness. The moderator was in attack mode when it came to Mr. McGuinness and he handled her well. I like him a lot. Sure wish I could vote :(
greensod | Oct 15, 2011, 05:26 PM EDT
This poll is a fishing ploy.We demand a real vote.
greensod | Oct 15, 2011, 05:24 PM EDT
Cillowen, Thank you for posting this information on McGuinness.Just more proof of his dedication to all things Irish.Its nice to see the facts.
cillowen | Oct 15, 2011, 04:03 PM EDT
Personal life of mcguinness He married Bernadette Canning in 1974. They have four children, two girls and two boys[25] McGuinness is a fan of the Derry Gaelic football and hurling teams[26] and played both sports when he was younger.[26] He grew up just 50 metres from Celtic Park, the home of Derry GAA.[26] His brother[26] Tom played Gaelic football for Derry and is regarded as one of the county's best ever players.[27] Among his honours are three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals, as well as Ulster Under 21 and All-Ireland Under 21 Championship medals.[28] McGuiness is a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, meaning that he does not drink alcohol.[29]
oldboreen | Oct 15, 2011, 04:02 PM EDT
To to continue to deny Irish passport holders the right to vote in the next Irish Presidental election because they live or were born outside Ireland, is quite simply undemocratic. My passport unambigiously states that as a citizen of Ireland I may avail myself of consular services around the world.How is it then that I am not permitted to fully exercise my rights as a citizen of Ireland? Two grades of citizenship???? ie-Irish and 'nearly Irish'?
kinvara7 | Oct 15, 2011, 03:22 PM EDT
According to the most recent Poll here in Ireland Seán Gallagher is now in the lead.
Fergananim | Oct 15, 2011, 03:03 PM EDT
Would you please enter ALL seven candidates names? Otherwise this poll is useless!
Towngate | Oct 15, 2011, 02:59 PM EDT
IF this result is ,it asks more questions than it answers. Why were not all seven candidates listed? How many actual votes were cast? Was it possible for individuals to make multiple votes? ~ ~ ~ Finally, if this result is above board, it is a perfectly good reason not to allow the 'diaspora' a vote on Irish Domestic issues, as they are obviously badly out of step with the wishes of the Irish voters.
kinvara7 | Oct 15, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT
Typical IC! I note that neither Seán Gallagher (who is second in the polls) nor Mary Davis appear in the voting options above, instead there is 'other'.
pndirishandprou | Oct 15, 2011, 12:31 PM EDT
Yes, all holders of an Irish passport should be entitled to vote!
trigger | Oct 15, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT
I totally agree with this, if you have an Irish passport of course you should be able to vote regardless of where you reside and the obvious boost to tourism everytime we have an election. Why not give every passport holder around the world a free ticket home every year? They wont travel alone and it would lead to a feelgood factor and extra revenue.