'Undemocratic' Seanad elections

Madam, - I congratulate Brian Foley (September 16th) for taking a stand against the undemocratic and unrepresentative nature…

Madam, - I congratulate Brian Foley (September 16th) for taking a stand against the undemocratic and unrepresentative nature of Seanad elections.

About 3 million people are entitled to vote in the general election, while only around 150,000 particular university graduates are entitled to elect six senators. Perhaps if more university graduates refused to be registered or returned their ballots blank, politicians might realise that this outrageously elitist electoral provision must be eliminated.

The 1979 Seventh Amendment to the Constitution remains ignored by the Oireachtas, despite many promises by successive Fianna Fáil politicians to implement this basic reform. With one swipe the Government could enfranchise tens of thousands of third-level graduates to vote in the Seanad election - just the first of many changes required. - Yours, etc,

JARLATH MOLLOY,

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London W8.