Sir, – I find the report (Judith Crosbie, March 16th) regarding the election to the Medical Council deeply disquieting. The council had declared the poll would close at noon on March 15th. But the poll did not close on that date at that time. Instead voting was extended to 5pm on March 26th.
The council, when contacted, “was not able to provide any specific explanation as to why voting was extended”. This is remarkable. But in a statement the council said “the longer voting period will provide an enhanced opportunity for doctors to exercise their democratic right to vote.”
On March 4th and 5th, I had a number of conversations with the Medical Council about my access to voting. I did not wish to vote by electronic voting. I wanted to vote with a pen on a piece of paper. This was absolutely refused. My wishes were disregarded. I was disenfranchised.
The enabling instrument for this exercise in democracy was quoted to me as “S.I.No 22 of 2013 Medical (Election of Registered Medical Practitioners) Regulations 2013,” issued under the Official Seal of the Minister for Health on January 25th, 2013.
I read it with care. It does not exclude a paper ballot. Para 8(3) states merely “The poll shall take the form of an electronic ballot.”
It does not state only the form of an electronic ballot, or exclusively the form of an electronic ballot. In other words this instrument does indeed provide validation of, inter alia, electronic voting. But nowhere does it exclude paper voting.
Next week the Medical Council will have the results of two polls – the one of March 15th and the one of March 26th. It is entirely possible that a winner from the first voting will now be passed over by a different candidate. Will doctors who voted before March 15th be allowed to cancel that vote and then vote differently during this extended period? The prospect is chaotic.
To my mind both voting exercises have been deeply compromised. The statutory remedy for such a situation is provided. “The returning officer may deem the poll null and void in circumstances where the results have been deemed to have been compromised.”
There is only one solution – a declaration that the poll or polls for the Medical Council be declared null and void and a new poll be set up, allowing paper or electronic voting. In any event, electronic voting in the Republic has not an attractive provenance. I have a right to vote for the Medical Council. That right has been taken from me. I want it back. – Yours, etc,
Dr CYRIL DALY,
Howth Road,
Killester,
Dublin 5.