Candidates in tomorrow's Údaras na Gaeltachta elections are to be linked to political parties for the first time.
Up to 75,000 voters go to the polls in seven Gaeltacht constituencies tomorrow morning to fill 17 elected positions on the Údaras board.
Under new procedures, candidates no longer have to lodge deposits but they must be nominated by a political party or supported by 15 registered voters in the constituency.
A High Court decision in 2001 ruled that deposits in Gaeltacht elections were unconstitutional.
It will also be the first time that candidates are allowed to display their photographs and political party logos on the ballot papers.
Údaras na Gaeltachta was established as a regional State agency in 1980 to promote the economic and social development of Gaeltacht areas and to aid the survival of the Irish language.
About 90,000 people live in the seven Gaeltacht areas which cover extensive parts of counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford.
Galway has six seats, Donegal has four, Kerry and Mayo have two each and Cork, Waterford and Meath are represented by one.
The remaining three persons to the 20-member Udaras board are nominated by Minister Of State With Responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O Cuiv.
Sinn Féin is expecting its first-ever Údaras na Gaeltachta seat with candidates running in each of three Gaeltacht areas in Donegal, Galway and Meath.
The last elections to the Údaras board were held in December 1999.