Election candidates should not have to publish home addresses, says Bacik

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said it is a “retrograde” step for Government to vote down Labour amendments to the Electoral Act which meant election candidates would not have to publish their home addresses.

Bacik said “the new Electoral Commission should have the power to change rules around the need for candidates to disclose a specific home or postal address on ballot papers. We are disappointed that Government decided to vote against this much-needed measure.”

“We need to encourage more people into politics and to address the barriers that prevent people from entering electoral politics.”

“Unfortunately, due to the failure of this Government to tackle the far-right and to ensure sufficient safeguards to protect the safety of those who wish to put themselves forward for public office, we know that potential candidates for all parties are fearful of putting their home addresses into the public record. Who could blame them?”

Bacik’s fears have been alluded to by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in recent weeks, telling the Irish Examiner that discourse surrounding politics in Ireland is putting people off from running for elected office in Ireland.

It has been reported that Sinn Féin are struggling to attract local election candidates as prospective candidates do not feel comfortable publishing their address.

Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordain tweeted after the vote failed “every party has difficulty getting candidates to run and Government is not making it easier.”

“The publishing of postal or home addresses is a huge issue often raised by prospective candidates, particularly women candidates,” Bacik said.

“They are afraid that having this information made publicly available may leave them vulnerable in their homes, and we know that this has been raised in other jurisdictions too.”

“It is very disappointing to see Government voting against provisions seeking to create greater safety and security for potential political candidates.”

Earlier this year, Green Party TD Patrick Costello said that election candidates should not have to publish their addresses. 

Costello issued a letter the issue to local government minister Kieran O’Donnell and the Electoral Commission saying that the practice needs to end before next summer’s local and European elections “due to the dangers it poses to people running for office.”

“In today’s digital age, where personal information can easily be accessed and exploited, the presence of home addresses on ballot papers poses a significant safety risk,” Costello wrote.

“This is especially true in light of the rise in activity of individuals on the far-right. Such individuals seek to portray elected leaders as ‘sellouts’ and ‘traitors’, which is designed to intimidate and spark violence.”

In July, the home of Independent Councillor Hugh Lewis was attacked after he voiced support for refugees from Ukraine.

In that instance, a rock was thrown through the window of Lewis’ home with a note attached reading “stop supporting refugees.”

The rock smashed through the window while Lewis’ father was the only person inside.