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Photographs and ballot papers

Surface impression

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Sir, – In Irish elections, it’s the norm for candidates to submit a photograph of themselves for the ballot paper. Those who don’t supply a photo are seen to be at a disadvantage. This practice is not done in most western countries, where a simple name and party affiliation (and broad allusion to one’s address) suffices. We should seriously consider doing away with this practice of putting candidates’ photos on the ballot paper. It implicitly tells voters to judge candidates by what they look like. It is wrong and unfair. Elections should be about policies and substance, not the superficial. – Yours, etc,

CAOIMHÍN Ó MAOLCHALANN,

Ballinasloe,

Co Galway.