Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has welcomed the decision of the Electoral Commission to direct the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland to reinstate Howard Primary School, Moygashel as a polling station. The Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative had appealed the initial decision to close the station and the UK’s Electoral Commission has now ruled in his favour. The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland has now ordered a new 2 week period of consultation.

Tom Elliott MLA said:

“Following the initial decision to close the polling station at Moygashel I lodged an appeal on the grounds that the Electoral Office had failed to adequately consult on the issue, which affected nearly 3,000 voters in Moygashel and Coolhill wards. An audit subsequently carried out at the proposed alternative venue at the Dungannon Leisure centre proved that it was not a suitable site for those with limited mobility. With the support of 30 signatories and the access audit, an appeal was lodged with Electoral Commission and it has now responded by stating the initial review by the Electoral Office was ‘not conducted in such a way to meet electors reasonable requirements, we therefore direct you to reinstate Howard Primary School as the polling station for the voters who were allocated to Dungannon Leisure Centre and Roan Primary School’.

“I welcome the acknowledgement that this decision was flawed. The finding of the UK’s Electoral Commission is unequivocal – the decision did not meet the requirements of the electors in Moygashel district. The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland made the initial decision without ever consulting them, instead opting to seemingly listen only to the demands of Sinn Fein. 

“Whilst I welcome the belated acknowledgement from the Chief Electoral Officer that dialogue is needed, I am concerned as to whether the new 2 week consultation is anything more than a token gesture. How can 3,000 people be consulted in only 14 days? The entire process has been slapdash. Nevertheless I would urge all those electors affected to respond to protect their local station.    

“Whilst Michelle Gildernew had previously gloated that the closure of the polling station in Moygashel was a ‘victory’, today’s decision of a temporary reprieve at least is in fact a triumph for common sense and due process. It made no sense whatsoever to close the station and expect local people to travel up to 5 miles to take part in the democratic process.

“I am pleased that the campaign to retain the polling station has been successful and the cynical move by Sinn Fein to remove it has failed.”