AN INFORMATION leaflet entitled ‘Vote’ was launched recently for new Irish citizens living in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.
The leaflet was produced by the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Ethnic Minority Integration Forum (DLREMI) to inform these citizens about their voting rights and the Irish voting system.
Vote was developed to promote civic participation of people from an ethnic minority and immigrant backgrounds living in the County who obtained Irish citizenship and are entitled to vote in 2016 General Election.
It provides basic information on how and where to register to vote as well as describing in a visual way the single transferable vote system.
It was launched alongside a ‘Citizenship Ceremony’ taking place in the Convention Centre in Dublin during which people who made Ireland their home received their certificate of naturalisation.
Among them are people of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County and the goal of the Vote leaflet is to encourage them to take an active part and assist them when casting their vote in the upcoming General Election.
Speaking at the launch, DLR Social Inclusion Officer Pat Coffey said: “We welcome the launch of the Vote leaflet as it is very important that all those who are entitled to vote are informed of that right and are aware of their responsibility.”
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Ethnic Minority Integration Forum is a network of ethnic minority groups and migrant-led organisations that are based in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County.
Its aim is to promote the integration of immigrant communities in the county.
Among its members are individuals and organisations representing various nationalities from across the globe including Polish, Iraqi, Indian, as well as members of the Zimbabwe Heritage Trust, Moroccan Association of Ireland, Congolese Anti-Poverty Network and the Armenian Community of Ireland.
The DLREMI Forum is supported by the DLR County Council and Southside Partnership.