Ireland, General Elections 2011: Unsealed ballot box(es)

As the polls get closed for the General Elections 2011 (“GE11″) in Ireland, a number of  irregularities have already been spotted and reported by people all over the country.

From the Irish Statute Book, Local Election Regulations, Section 59,

Opening of the poll.

59. Immediately before the commencement of the poll the presiding officer at each polling station shall show each ballot box in his or her charge to such persons as are present in the station, so that they may see that it is empty, and shall then lock the box and seal it in such manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal and shall place it in his or her view for the receipt of ballot papers, and keep it so locked, sealed and in view during the poll.

A voter from North-West Cork reported on boards.ie this morning,

Went to vote at about 10.55 this morning, noted the girls on desk were not only marking off names but also keeping a record of number of voters.

I was the 65th this morning at this particular station.

I also noted fancy new plastic boxes that looked more like a shredder than a ballot box……

Voted dropped in my paper and next of all my 4 year-old lifts lid and we can see all of the previous ballots.

Was leaving and thought about it, got the Garda and went back and showed him.

Of course excuses followed and sure it was grand and he would say it to the presiding officer. As I was leaving the other ballot boxes in the other rooms appeared only to have common everyday cable ties on them.

I spotted a guy sitting in the hallway of the school (each station is in a different classroom) asked if he was the presiding officer ad he acknowledged.

I explained to him the problem, he didn’t even get off his seat. (11.00am) I then left, the more I thought about the excuses and lack of urgency really gets me !

The Garda was standing next to me when I took the photo.

I went back to the polling station and broached the attitude with the officer, we had a conversation about it and the potential for fraud, e-voting as a prime example and of course it would never happen…….Honesty and all that.

I pointed out our honest politicians etc!

Anyway it turns out the county sheriff turned up and conversations etc followed and all was fine.
BUT apparently wax was sent with the boxes and he (the sheriff) said there was no need to use it, that regular cable ties were sufficient.??

Either wax is required for open and fully transparent voting or it’s not. I believe not even security cable ties were used.

At least this number/letter pattern could be checked at the count station.

As taken from the public Citizens Information website,

Voting is by secret ballot. You may fold your ballot paper to hide how you voted and place it in a sealed ballot box.

The issue was brought to RTE‘s attention and confirmed, to which RTE reported

Cork County Sheriff Michael O’Driscoll has said an unsealed ballot box at a polling station in Ballincollig was immediately sealed once it was brought to the attention of staff by a voter this morning.

A voter from North Dublin added

Same with the boxes in North Dublin this morning. Some were locked, some were not.

A voter from South Dublin added

Same in Dublin South. Looked fairly dodgy, I have to say.

A voter from Kildare added

Doesn’t this happen at all polling stations ?

Mine in Kildare definitely did this for the local elections, and the last by-election.

A voter from Cork  added

Voted in Cork NC – no Guard present. Didn’t even think to check if the ballot box was sealed.

A voter from Waterford added

I voted today in Barracks Street, Waterford. It didn’t bother me at the time, but after reading this post, i recalled that the ballot box i used was also not sealed (it was a tin box, that looked about 20 years old), it was quite full and when i had to push my paper in the lid rattled ajar.

Other issues reported by voters on Twitter and boards.ie include

Cork NW – Had a look at my sealed box. The seals they are using are the standard cable ties, not the security ones. The standard cable ties offer no security to being opened and closed again.

There was no Gardai where I voted in Dublin North east earlier.

Have you something to say about what you experienced in your local polling station ? Have you an opinion, a picture, a video, or something to say on the matter ?

Mind sharing ?