The Ulster Unionist Westminster candidate for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott, has expressed his anger that the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland has refused to reinstate Howard Primary School as a polling station for the forthcoming general election on 12th December. The refusal is despite the unavailability of Dungannon Leisure Centre due to ongoing repairs.
Tom Elliott said:
“We advised the Chief Electoral Officer that Dungannon Leisure Centre would be closed for at least a further 2 months and had hoped that Howard Primary School would be reinstated as polling station for residents of Moygashel and Coolhill.
“I have since been advised by the CEO that the Breakthru premises at Killymeal Road, Dungannon will be replacing Dungannon Leisure Centre as a polling station for the election on 12 December. There are serious doubts regarding the suitability of these premises with limited space and car parking.
“From 2015 we have lodged numerous appeals with the Chief Electoral Officers and Electoral Commission at the unwarranted decision to close the polling station at Howard PS, as have the Moygashel Residents Association.
“At the same time the Electoral Office has still retained Greencastle Polling Station in West Tyrone in spite of the fact that in 2018 a gunman entered it. In the case of Howard Primary School I cannot help but feel that the Electoral Office has bowed to political pressure from Republicans, in taking a decision that will cause serious inconvenience to Unionist voters and which may even potentially dissuade some from voting.”