Local business man Rashid Butt of IT Zone is welcoming all locals to come into his cybercafe to register to vote in the 2009 Local Elections.
Encouraged by the recent presidental campaign in America, Mr Butt wants to ensure locals who don’t have Irish citizenship that they have the right to vote in local elections.
Speaking after the results of the US elections on Thursday, Mr Butt said: “Today is a historic day not only for America, or the Western world, but for the whole of humankind. The winds of change are blowing and they are blowing West to East.
“This day will mark a new era of inclusiveness and an egalitarian society. There is no point in burying our heads in the sand. If you don’t speak for yourself, who will speak for you?”
Potential voters can stop by the IT Zone Cybercafé on Patrick Street, Mullingar any time from noon to 9pm from Monday November 10 to Friday November 14.
IT Zone will supply voter registration forms and if the potential voter desires, forward them to Westmeath County Council’s elections office. During this special voter registration drive, a computer station will be available at no charge for those who wish to check the register of electors online or review Ireland’s election laws. Applications to the Register of Electors must reach the local authority by Tuesday November 25.
“Democracy only works if we use our vote,” Mr Butt said. “I am concerned that people might not know they have the right to participate at the local level, and that lack of knowledge leads to people being excluded.”
Ireland has four levels of voter registration. Irish citizens can vote in all elections and referendums. British citizens are allowed to vote in Dail, European, and local elections. Citizens of a European Union member country can vote in European and local elections. Non-EU citizens can vote in local elections. In all cases, voters must be at least 18 years of age and have been ordinarily resident in Ireland on September 1 of the year preceding the coming into force of the Register of Electors, which is February 15.
Mr Butt welcomes everyone to stop by IT Zone and ensure they are properly registered to vote.
