IF YOU’RE THINKING OF running as a candidate in this month’s general election, you’ll have to get a move on because the deadline for submissions is noon today.
The deadline for submitting applications to register new parties has already passed, so new candidates will have to either declare for one of the currently registered parties, or else run as an Independent or non-party candidate.
Prospective candidates must have a “certificate of political affiliation” or provide a declaration signed by 30 registered voters in support of their nomination as well as the signature of a garda, peace commissioner or commissioner for oaths.
Or, instead of doing either of those things, a nominee could lodge a deposit of €500 with the returning officer in the constituency they intend to run.
If a candidate wants their photo to appear alongside their name on the ballot paper, they must submit it with their application to run for office.
Anyone who knowingly makes a false or misleading statutory declaration can be fined up to €2,539.
People who are under 21 on polling day, who not Irish citizens, are gardaí, judges or full-time members of the defence forces are among those ineligible to run.
For further details and the relevant forms, contact the returning officer for the relevant constituency. They can be reached through local authorities.
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