Sinn Féin Welcome For Electoral System Proposals
Sinn Féin National Director of Elections Pat Doherty MP has welcomed the
consultation
paper launched today and the proposals contained in it by the
British
government aimed at restoring public confidence in the electoral
system
here and rectifying the very obvious flaws in the current
arrangements.
Mr
Doherty said:
" The introduction of the current electoral
arrangements at the behest of
the SDLP and the unionist parties has led
to the disenfranchisement of over
200,000 people. Since the
introduction of these measures Sinn Féin have been
campaigning for
a change in the legislation. We have repeatedly raised this
matter with
the British government in the course of our discussions.
"
Today's publication of this consultation document on the future of the
electoral
system and the proposals it contains is a recognition that the
current
arrangements are deeply flawed and need urgent change. Annual
registration
has proven to be a complete disaster. Public confidence in the
electoral
system needs to be rebuilt and it is my hope that today's paper
can be
the first step along this road." ENDS