New leader: how election works

The new leader of the Labour Party will be elected by postal ballot of all paid-up party members in good standing for at least…

The new leader of the Labour Party will be elected by postal ballot of all paid-up party members in good standing for at least two years.

Voting is expected to take place in late October. A meeting of the party's national executive tomorrow week will set a closing date for the receipt of nominations for the posts of leader and deputy leader.

The election will take place not less than 45 days after the final date for the close of nominations and the method of election with be the single transferable vote form of proportional representation used in presidential elections.

If only one person is nominated for the position the returning officers will deem that person to be elected once nominations have closed.

A member of the Dáil may nominate himself or herself or may be nominated by another member or members. The current deputy leader, Liz McManus, will continue as acting leader until a new leader has been elected.

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