Menu
25/03/2015
County Tyrone Primary School Reinstated As A Polling Station
A primary school in County Tyrone has been reinstated as a polling station after the Ulster Unionists appealed the initial decision for it to close.
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott welcomed the decision of the Electoral Commission to direct the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland to reinstate Howard Primary School, Moygashel as a polling station.
Mr Elliott MLA said: "Following the initial decision to close the polling station at Moygashel I lodged an appeal on the grounds that the Electoral Office had failed to adequately consult on the issue, which affected nearly 3,000 voters in Moygashel and Coolhill wards. An audit subsequently carried out at the proposed alternative venue at the Dungannon Leisure centre proved that it was not a suitable site for those with limited mobility. With the support of 30 signatories and the access audit, an appeal was lodged with Electoral Commission and it has now responded by stating the initial review by the Electoral Office was 'not conducted in such a way to meet electors reasonable requirements, we therefore direct you to reinstate Howard Primary School as the polling station for the voters who were allocated to Dungannon Leisure Centre and Roan Primary School'.
"I welcome the acknowledgement that this decision was flawed. The finding of the UK’s Electoral Commission is unequivocal – the decision did not meet the requirements of the electors in Moygashel district. The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland made the initial decision without ever consulting them, instead opting to seemingly listen only to the demands of Sinn Fein."
(CD/MH)
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott welcomed the decision of the Electoral Commission to direct the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland to reinstate Howard Primary School, Moygashel as a polling station.
Mr Elliott MLA said: "Following the initial decision to close the polling station at Moygashel I lodged an appeal on the grounds that the Electoral Office had failed to adequately consult on the issue, which affected nearly 3,000 voters in Moygashel and Coolhill wards. An audit subsequently carried out at the proposed alternative venue at the Dungannon Leisure centre proved that it was not a suitable site for those with limited mobility. With the support of 30 signatories and the access audit, an appeal was lodged with Electoral Commission and it has now responded by stating the initial review by the Electoral Office was 'not conducted in such a way to meet electors reasonable requirements, we therefore direct you to reinstate Howard Primary School as the polling station for the voters who were allocated to Dungannon Leisure Centre and Roan Primary School'.
"I welcome the acknowledgement that this decision was flawed. The finding of the UK’s Electoral Commission is unequivocal – the decision did not meet the requirements of the electors in Moygashel district. The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland made the initial decision without ever consulting them, instead opting to seemingly listen only to the demands of Sinn Fein."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 January 2015
Primary School No Longer Polling Station After Protests
A county Tyrone primary school will no longer be used as a polling station following a loyalist flag protest during last year's election. The chief electoral officer Graham Shields took the decision after protesters gathered outside Howard Primary School in Moygashel last May.
Primary School No Longer Polling Station After Protests
A county Tyrone primary school will no longer be used as a polling station following a loyalist flag protest during last year's election. The chief electoral officer Graham Shields took the decision after protesters gathered outside Howard Primary School in Moygashel last May.
10 May 2011
'Review Stormont Count Fiasco' Says Kinahan
A newly returned MLA has suggested a solution after a chorus of condemnation on the Assembly 'election fiasco', which at times, decended into a near chaotic process. Danny Kinahan, a UUP South Antrim MLA (pictured) said last night: "It's only when you see an election count at close quarters that you realise just how complex an operation it can be.
'Review Stormont Count Fiasco' Says Kinahan
A newly returned MLA has suggested a solution after a chorus of condemnation on the Assembly 'election fiasco', which at times, decended into a near chaotic process. Danny Kinahan, a UUP South Antrim MLA (pictured) said last night: "It's only when you see an election count at close quarters that you realise just how complex an operation it can be.
13 October 2009
Top Cop 'Voted' Into Electoral Job
As a general election looms in the New Year, a senior post in NI's Electoral Office has been filled. PSNI Chief Superintendent Graham Shields (pictured) is being appointed as the new Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and will replace June Butler who left at the end of September.
Top Cop 'Voted' Into Electoral Job
As a general election looms in the New Year, a senior post in NI's Electoral Office has been filled. PSNI Chief Superintendent Graham Shields (pictured) is being appointed as the new Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and will replace June Butler who left at the end of September.
13 January 2003
New electoral identity card set for issue
The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, Denis Stanley, has today announced the arrangements for the issue of the new electoral identity card. The new card is one way in which voters can provide photographic proof of identity if elections take place as expected in May.
New electoral identity card set for issue
The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, Denis Stanley, has today announced the arrangements for the issue of the new electoral identity card. The new card is one way in which voters can provide photographic proof of identity if elections take place as expected in May.
24 July 2001
SDLP seek further measures to combat electoral fraud
The SDLP have called for new measures in the fight to combat electoral fraud at polling station following the recent tabling of a new Electoral Fraud Bill in the House of Commons.
SDLP seek further measures to combat electoral fraud
The SDLP have called for new measures in the fight to combat electoral fraud at polling station following the recent tabling of a new Electoral Fraud Bill in the House of Commons.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
