Young Kildare voters warned: Don't take SELFIES in polling booth!
Breach of privacy of voting process
Kildare voters have been warned that taking photos or videos is not allowed in polling stations.
Many first-time voters may be tempted to take a selfie but it's an offence to breach the secrecy of the ballot.
This is the advice from the Electoral Commission - An Coimisiún Toghcháin which is a statutory, independent body, established last year with responsibility for a broad range of electoral functions set out in the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
The Commission has a handy Frequently Asked Questions FAQs section:
One question is why are pencils are available at all polling stations.
The Commission says:
Pencils are provided at all polling stations as:
– they last longer and do not dry out between electoral events;
– pencil lead cannot smudge onto other ballot papers;
– pencil lead will not smudge/leak if the ballot paper gets wet;
– If ink from a pen smudges or leaks onto another ballot paper this may cause that paper to be invalid.
Using pencils for voting is an international standard and not just used in Ireland. The UK, Australia, Canada and many other countries all use pencils to vote. However, you may bring and use your own pen.