Howlin wants permanent Electoral Commission

LABOUR leader Brendan Howlin called on the Taoiseach to regulate online advertising before next year’s Local and European elections. While there is a low risk of cyberattacks or disinformation online in this jurisdiction, we cannot be complacent and must put measures in place when we face elections, he said.

‘It would be naive to think there are not some elements who would like to interfere with our electoral processes in an unauthorised way. We are not so irrelevant that it would not take place.’

Deputy Howlin said the Register of Electors is a source of frustration in every single election as there are always those who have simply disappeared off it.

‘People who have lived in the same houses for years on end and never moved find suddenly that they have been removed when they go to vote,’ he said.

‘They do not check because they assume they do not need to having always been on the Register. While we exhort people to check the online register, we need a more robust system in place to ensure we facilitate those who want to vote.

‘That is obviously contingent on proper safeguards. A permanent Electoral Commission is the solution to that. We have talked about it for a long time and we need to establish one.’

In response, the Taoiseach said it was unlikely the Government would have primary legislation in place before next May.

‘However, that is not entirely within the control of the Government and will depend on the Houses also,’ he said.