Cork City returning officer steps down after three decades of elections
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The man who has overseen his last election in Cork City after more than three decades of service has hailed the transparency of Ireland’s democratic process.
Long-serving Cork City returning officer Martin Harvey described the paper-based proportional representation system as “fool-proof”.
Returning officers play a central role in the democratic process. They ensure that the election is administered effectively and that the experience of voters and those standing for election is a positive one.
They are responsible for the conduct of local government and Dáil elections, including publishing the notice of election, administering the nomination process, printing the ballot papers, publishing the notice of poll, statement of persons nominated and notice of situation of polling stations, the provision of polling stations, appointing Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks, managing the postal voting process, verifying and counting the votes and declaring the result.
Mr Harvey, who oversaw his first election 35 years ago, oversaw some 200 staff who were involved in the counting of votes for Cork North Central and Cork South Central at the Nemo count centre over the weekend.
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He was joined at the venue early on Sunday by members of his extended family to wish him well as he began overseeing the final count of what will be most likely his last election before his retirement as city sheriff next June.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Harvey said he does not favour the e-voting system.
“Here, you have a paper trail system from start to finish, all the way along, from when you mark your ballot paper to the time it is counted here,” he said.
“There is a paper trail, it is counted and it is absolutely full of integrity and everything is transparent, the process is see-through.
He paid tribute to the staff in his office, including Stephanie and Julie, and all of the count staff and supervisors in the count centres.
“They are unbelievable. I most certainly could not have done this without all of their help and assistance. They are fantastic people,” he said.
He also paid tribute to all the candidates, and members of the media, with whom he engaged over the years.
“We have always worked very well and that has made my job much easier,” he said.
“Whoever takes over for me, I wish them the very best,” he said.
“It is a great process. You get great enjoyment out of it, great satisfaction out of it at the end of a day’s work.”