Decision to remove polling station is unjust, unfair and unacceptable - Elliott

Ulster Unionist Party MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone has expressed his outrage at the decision to remove the polling station from Howard Primary School Dungannon.

Mr Elliott said:

“The decision to close the Howard Primary school polling station is unjust, unfair and unacceptable and we intend to challenge it.

"I have spoken to several people present last May; late on in the day a small number of young people with Union flags made their way up from the village, the PSNI spoke to them and let them up as far as an exit gate where they stood in silence for a matter of minutes before dispersing. I don't believe there was any chance of voters being put off voting, they wouldn’t even have seen the protest until they were driving out of the school grounds, given that you can actually park in the grounds of this Polling Station.

"In 2001 members of the public forced the polling station to remain open after closing time in Garrison, yet no action was taken by the electoral office then, SO it certainly looks like double standards are being applied. This was a minor event which never happened before at Moygashel and is unlikely to be repeated, and I am disgusted that it appears the Electoral office has fallen for Sinn Fein spin.

"Michelle Gildernew is calling it a victory. Does she think it will discourage voter turnout in one of the most Unionist wards West of the Bann? I hope that the people of Moygashel will be more determined to ensure they get casting their vote in response to this outrageous decision."

News Archives