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Bacik seeks Reconsideration of Trinity College decision on Karin Dubsky votes

22 April 2011


On Thursday 21st April I asked the College to reconsider the decision to invalidate any ballot paper having a number 1 placed next to Karin Dubsky's name. Having considered the terms of section 22(3) of the 1937 Act governing the conduct of Seanad elections, I believe that the College interpretation is incorrect and indeed perverse, since it will mean that, where a voter has given Ms. Dubsky a Number 1 and has then clearly indicated a sequence of preferences for candidates other than Ms. Dubsky, the entire ballot paper should be invalidated because she is not a valid candidate. I have asked College to seek a second legal opinion and to reconsider the decision so that those voters who have placed a number 1 beside Karin Dubsky's name are not disenfranchised.