Controversy in Limerick: Alphabetical blunder on ballot raises validity concerns

CONTROVERSY has erupted in Limerick City after voters noticed the ballot paper before them this Friday deviated from alphabetical order, casting doubts over the validity of the election process.

Eagle-eyed voters at polling stations across the city have voiced concerns after spotting that Maurice Quinlivan of Sinn Féin and Dean Quinn of The Irish People party are listed ahead of Willie O’Dea of Fianna Fail and the Social Democrats’ Elisa O’Donovan, whose names should be listed higher on the ballot sheet due to their order in the alphabet.

The Electoral Commission website states that “The ballot paper will show a list of names, in alphabetical order, party emblems and photos of each candidate”. 

"I did notice it when I went in and I wondered to myself how it happened and if it would make any difference to the outcome. In politics, it is dog eat dog and small margins matter bigtime given the work that goes in on the ground and what's at stake," one voter told Limerick Live this Friday evening.

A seasoned political observer stated that "there could be a challenge to the result depending on who gets elected”.

“If there is a seat won by a very narrow margin, someone may challenge it in the court. But a judge would probably rule that because there are coloured photographs on the ballot paper, it would mean that people would know who they are voting for except in a very tiny minority which would make no difference to the end result.

“If they were to challenge it in court, I would bet any money they would say that while it wasn't desirable the alphabetical order wasn't maintained properly, because good clear photographs provided by the candidates are on the ballot paper, and we look at someone's photograph, and sometimes we don't read their name, they'd say no material advantage was gained by any particular candidate.”

READ MORE: Turnout rises across Limerick after slow start in voting for General Election 2024

In response to the controversy, one social media user commented: "I will heavily hold it against any candidate who wants to make anyone go out and vote again tbh”.

Polling stations close at 10pm this Friday night after which the results of exit polls will be released.