Some 7,000 phantom voters as Offaly heads to the polls

It"s likely there are 7,000 more people on the electoral register in Offaly than should be the case. According to figures from the last census (2006), there were some 49,000 people over the age of 18 in Offaly. However, 56,603 people are on the current electoral register in Offaly and are therefore eligible to vote in today"s local elections across the county. That would indicate there are some 7,000 names on the register (or one in every eight) that should not be there, posing real issues for the accuracy of elections. And experts believe the real picture could be far worse. In countries where registration is voluntary, the best that is generally achieved is registration of 85% of citizens at any one time. Assuming Ireland has surpassed that registration level and that 90% of citizens are registered to vote, that would mean only 44,000 people would be expected to be on the register and not the current number of 56,000. Polls open throughout the county today (Friday), from 7am to 10pm. Elections to Offaly County Council will be held in four areas: Tullamore, Ferbane, Edenderry and Birr. There will also be elections to town councils in Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr. In the county council elections, fourteen candidates are contesting seven seats in the Tullamore area; in the Ferbane area, ten candidates are chasing four spots. In the Edenderry area, there"s an extra seat, with 19 contestants looking for one of six available. The Birr electoral area, on the other hand, has lost a seat, with ten candidates for four council berths. There are nine seats up for grabs on all three town councils; Tullamore Town Council (15 candidates), Birr Town Council (15 candidates) and Edenderry Town Council (13 candidates). Results are expected throughout Saturday with the final position likely to be known by Monday.