October Áras election?
Officials eye up October 19 as ‘optimal’ date for Presidential polling day, documents reveal
FRIDAY, October 19, is looking the most likely date for a Presidential election, according to Government documents seen by the Irish Daily Mail.
While President Michael D Higgins says he will make his intentions known by July on whether he will seek a second term – and all the indications are that he will – preparations for a possible election have been taking place since last November.
One email about campaign spending limits sent between officials in January suggests that an election ‘will likely take place towards the end of October’.
Senator Gerard Craughwell has insisted he will force an election, pointing out that President Higgins promised in 2011 to only serve a single seven-year term.
Artist Kevin Sharkey has also expressed a desire to run. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, whose party now has the Dáil strength to nominate its own candidate, says she personally feels there should be an election in the interests of democracy, but stresses that her party has taken no formal position.
Civil servants have had to presume a contest for planning purposes and have investigated the availability of Dublin Castle, which will be used for the abortion referendum count later this month.
A draft calendar identifies three Saturdays in October for a possible count, but one is eliminated because of a lack of availability of Dublin Castle facilities.
The date of October 27 also has limitations, meaning a count on Saturday October 20, would be optimal, in turn implying that polling would be held nationwide the day before.
The documents, released under Freedom of Information, also reveal that a draft request for tender for a Presidential election ballot paper has been prepared.
The tender discusses the printing of an estimated 3.8 million ballot papers, as well as 26,000 posters, and the delivery of same to 23 local authorities around the country for use in polling stations.
Technical specifications for the ballot indicate it should not be longer than last time out – when there were a record seven candidates.
But it says the final size will be communicated at the close of nominations and each candidate will be afforded equal space for their name and photograph.
Meanwhile prominent barrister and political analyst Noel Whelan confirmed to the Irish Daily Mail that he has tested the water for a possible Presidential run, adding: ‘I suspect I am one of many.’ However, he added: ‘The incumbent, in my view, is perceived by everybody to have done a very good job and is probably unbeatable.’
Ruling himself out on this occasion, he said he believed it is a ‘terrific office’.
All the indications are that the President ‘is minded to stay where he is,’ he added.
Civil servants must presume contest
President Higgins recently commented that he had never run away from a political contest in his life, adding: ‘Why should I?’
RTÉ presenter and broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan recently ruled herself out of a run.
Fine Gael MEPs Mairéad McGuinness and Seán Kelly have both expressed an interest in seeking their party’s nomination, should there be a contest.