Sir, - Having analysed the figures constituency by constituency as published in The Irish Times (June 9th), and having attended much of the count in Kildare South I am amazed at the levels of spoiled votes recorded.
From a high of 1.49 per cent in Dublin Central (polled 36,282 votes, of which 541 were spoiled) to a low of 0.55 per cent (polled 40,297 votes, of which 223 were spoilt) in Dublin West, the average appears to be 1 per cent (total poll, 1,807,015 votes, of which 18,018 were spoiled).
One would expect some spoiled votes where people spoil their votes on purpose - e.g. where a vote is marked "none of the above" - but the number of votes spoiled by the electorate marking their papers in the following ways was astounding:
. Where each candidate obtains a number
. Where more than one candidate is marked with an "X"
. Where one's party's candidates each receive no. 1 and another party's candidates each receive no. 2, etc. (voting for the parties rather than the individual).
. Where the polling station mark has not been punched on the vote (is it up to the voter to check that the vote is stamped?).
We have, by all accounts, the fairest voting system available, but, if people are not aware how to best use it, is it not about time some educational programme was initiated by the Government?
Yours, etc.,
Connell Drive, Drochead Nua, Co Kildare.