Electoral Law

Legislation to extend the franchise for Seanad's university seats is to be introduced in response to a Supreme Court ruling last year. Mr Justice Gerard Hogan ruled in April 2023 that there was a constitutional obligation on the Oireachtas to extend the franchise as a result of the Seventh Amendment

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland's independent electoral commission, has published its first-ever annual report. The watchdog, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ms Justice Marie Baker, was established on 9 February 2023 and the report covers the period from then until 31 December 2

A new voluntary framework designed to help online platforms and search engines tackle misinformation ahead of this June's elections has been launched by An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission. The Framework on Online Electoral Process information, Poli

The European Commission has published new guidelines aimed at tackling online risks to the integrity of elections. The guidelines recommend mitigation measures and best practices to be undertaken by very large online platforms and search engines, which have specific legal obligations in this area un

Ireland's independent electoral commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, has formally launched the independent information campaign for the two constitutional referendums taking place in March. An Coimisiún Toghcháin has taken on the role previously held by the Referendum Comm

Two referendums seeking approval to change what the Constitution says about family and care, including the controversial provision about women's "life within the home", are to be held on 8 March 2024. Draft bills providing for the referendums are expected to be published within days after equality m

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s new independent electoral commission, has published its first draft research programme for 2024–26. Established earlier this year, An Coimisiún holds a new and significant research role in electoral policy and procedures, and has und

The Dáil should be made up of 174 TDs elected from 43 constituencies, Ireland's newly-established statutory electoral commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, has recommended. In a report published today, the body proposed an increase in the size of the Dáil — currently

The Supreme Court will tomorrow begin hearing arguments on the timing of its proposed declaration on the unconstitutionality of the laws governing elections for Seanad University Panels. In April this year, the court ruled that the Oireachtas had failed to meet a constitutional obligation to extend

The Supreme Court has upheld a challenge to the constitutionality of the laws governing elections for Seanad University Panels. The legal proceedings were brought by a graduate of the University of Limerick who claimed that the Oireachtas had failed to meet a constitutional obligation to extend the

Ms Justice Marie Baker has been appointed as chairperson of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the new statutory electoral watchdog formally established from today. The Supreme Court judge's appointment to the role of chairperson completes An Coimisiún’s seven-person membership, foll

Professor Caroline Fennell, a professor emerita of law at University College Cork, is among the first four people nominated for appointment to the new Electoral Commission, which will be entitled An Coimisiún Toghcháin. Ministers yesterday agreed to nominate Professor Fennell, along wi

The establishment of a new statutory and independent Electoral Commission will now proceed following the approval of legislation. The Electoral Reform Bill — intended to "bring about the development, modernisation and reform of Ireland’s electoral system, structures and processes" &mdash

The UK government has been accused of undermining free and fair elections after securing support in the Lords for its plans to give ministers more control over the Electoral Commission. The Elections Bill will allow ministers to develop a strategy and policy statement for the UK's elections watchdog

A new statutory and independent Electoral Commission will be established under new legislation announced yesterday. The Electoral Reform Bill will bring about major modernisation of the electoral system, the government said, as well as aiming to increase voter engagement and participation through a