Sir, – I had the pleasure and honour last weekend to take part again in what An Coimisiún Toghcháin/the Electoral Commission now calls an “Electoral Event” – ie, the Galway West byelection.
Under the guidance of the Returning Officer, a team of more than 100 people ensured the meticulous sorting, counting and transferring of just under 48,000 votes.
After the ballot boxes were received in the Tennis Club in Salthill on Friday night, the count proper got under way on Saturday at 9am with the opening of the boxes. The count proceeded through its phases until 9.30pm on Saturday, when it was suspended to recommence on Sunday morning and concluded with the announcement of t Seán Kyne’s election at 7.30pm.
Why did it take that long? Twenty-three hours in total over two days to elect just one person?
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Because that is how long it takes.
That is how long it takes to meticulously sift through the individual expressions of the democratic wish of each of 48,000 members of the adult population of Galway West via the PRSTV method of voting we choose to use in Ireland.
From the inside of the count barrier, the more than 100 staff count, check and recheck each of those voting papers to ensure the intention and choices of each of the individual voters is considered and applied. Outside the barrier, each of the 17 candidates, their families and supporters with the media closely scrutinised everything that happened, paper on paper, bundle on bundle.
Some commentary (of both the professional and “hurler-on-the-ditch” variety, including your own editorial) rehearsed the well-worn tropes and usual complaints and calls for more speedy results in recent days.
If we wanted really speedy results, we could return to the good old days of the “first-past-the-post” system to which our next-door neighbours cling.
Speedy elections are less democratic, less transparent and are more open to challenge. Speedy elections can lead to the creation and cynical proliferation of doubt and scepticism about our democratic process.
I was delighted to take part in this “electoral event” and proud to be part of a team that took such care.
That’s democracy for you – slow and steady. We’re all the better for it. – Yours, etc,
GARY McMAHON,
Connemara,
Co Galway.
Sir, – Your editorial (“An unnecessary endurance test,” May 28th) makes some valid points. Would it not be a good idea if byelections (and presidential elections for that matter) were held under a first-past-the-post system? Since there is only one vacancy to fill, it would speed up the counting and completion. – Yours, etc.
L DUNNE,
Blackrock Road,
Cork.
Sir, – As someone who was around when the electronic voting machines were scrapped, I was happy to see this outcome. Not a Luddite myself, but like thousands of Irish citizens it was a situation of trust. Imagine a despotic sitting taoiseach up for re-election.
He publicly presses the results button on the machine. “Hey, my party got 85 per cent first preferences.” The audience boos and demands a recount.
He publicly presses the recount button. “Sorry, you folks are correct. We actually got 90 per cent.”
Paper wait is fine by me. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL ROONEY,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
