ROCK THE VOTE:THE CAMPAIGN group Rock the Vote has criticised the decision by many local authorities not to open on the last day for applications to join the supplemental register ahead of the Lisbon referendum.
Rock the Vote said that of the 35 local authorities it surveyed, 28 would not be open tomorrow, two were "uncontactable" and just five would open to accept applications.
This was despite confirmation from the Department of the Environment that it had "unofficially suggested" to all local authorities that they remain open on this day, the group added.
The non-partisan organisation, which aims to promote voter turnout among younger people, called for clarification from the Taoiseach on why the 28 local authorities would be closed.
"It is disgraceful that over two-thirds of the country's local authorities won't be making staff available to take applications to the supplemental register on Saturday," said Rock the Vote director Gearóid O'Rourke.
Rock the Vote added that Dublin City Council "repeatedly informed" campaign staff that the closing date was May 23rd, even after being directed to the Referendum Commission website, which states the date as May 24th.
"The general confusion out there amongst local authority staff is staggering. When called, some did not even know what the register of electors was, while one seemed to have gotten the date of the deadline wrong," Mr O'Rourke said.
"We want the Taoiseach to not only clarify why so may local authorities are not opening, but we would also like a commitment from him that the Department of the Environment will keep a close eye on the application process to ensure as many people as legally possible can have their opportunity to join it."
A Department of the Environment spokesman said local authorities not opening on Saturday were asked to treat mailed applications they found in their offices when opening on Monday morning as valid applications.
