Commandant Michael Nestor, from Laois, who is responsible to the administration of the postal votes in Mali opens the courier’s envelope containing the votes. 

BEEN TO YOUR local polling station yet today?

Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time.

The Defence Forces’ votes are already in… Over 400 personnel, serving in 17 countries overseas have been completing their postal ballots in recent days, including the staff members pictured here at the EU Training Mission Base in Koulikro, Mali.

All members of the Defence Forces usually vote by postal ballot whether at home or overseas.

For the missions in Lybia and Syria, the ballots are delivered by a military courier. Elsewhere, a regular commercial courier company performs the same role.

The Defence Forces will also be busy here at home in the coming weekend. Some 60 personnel will be involved in an ATCA (aid to the civil authorities) mission — bringing the European ballots from local centres to the three constituency count centres in Dublin, Cork and Castlebar.

Air Corps helicopters have also been involved in the island voting process this week — ferrying ballot boxes too and from islands off Galway, Mayo and Donegal.

Sgt Will Lawler (Cadet School) foreground and Cpl Jeff Meehan (27th Battalion, Dundalk) background contemplate their choices.

Sgt Daniel Smyth of Cadet School.

Sgt Gerry Duff from Dublin casts his vote.

[All pics: Gerry Reynolds]

Read: Why are schools used as polling places?

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