Election Glossary
Commonly used General Election terms. All you need to know for the 2011 election...
Dáil Glossary
Backbencher
A TD or Senator who does not serve as a Minister or spokesperson for their party.
Cabinet
The senior Ministers chosen by the Taoiseach to form the front bench. Each TD appointed to Cabinet is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the running of a different Department. The Cabinet is collectively responsible for forming government policy and the various ministers will see that these policies are implemented.
Ceann Comhairle
Following a general election the first thing that TDs do is elect the Ceann Comhairle, the chair of Dáil Éireann. The role of the Ceann Comhairle is to make sure the rules of the Dáil are followed. He or she ensures that debates take place in an orderly manner, calls on members to speak and declares the results of votes. The Ceann Comhairle must act independently in his/her position and, once elected, is not permitted to favour any political party. The Ceann Comhairle is deemed automatically re-elected to the Dáil by their constituency in the following General Election.
Census
An official count of the number of people and dwellings in a region, which is taken by government every five years. The last survey was taken in 2006 and the next census will take place in 2011.
Constitution of Ireland
called Bunreacht na hÉireann; the Constitution came into operation on 29 December 1937 and can only be amended by referendum.
Dáil Éireann
This is the Oireachtas chamber where the Dáil's 166 TDs sit. The elected politicians debate policy, present bills and vote on them in this chamber. Directly after the election TDs meet in the Dáil and vote to decide who will form the next government.
Front bench (Frontbencher)
TDs who serve as Ministers and their counterparts in the Opposition (the Opposition spokespersons) sit in the front bench in the Dáil.
Incumbent
A person who is currently serving in office.
Independent
A candidate or TD who is not associated with any political party.
Lenister House
This is the building in Dublin City Centre which houses Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. Dáil Éireann usually meets there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Ministers
Leading members of the Government who are in charge of government departments. They sit in the Cabinet and represent the interests of their Department. Ministers of State ("Junior Ministers") assist the Minister and usually have responsibility for particular areas within the Department.
Oireachtas
This is the Irish word for national parliament or legislature. It consists of the President of Ireland and two Houses; Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.
Opposition
The party or parties not in government.
President of Ireland
The President is elected for a term of seven years and may not serve more than two terms. He/she has the power to dissolve the Dáil if they are approached by the Taoiseach to do so.
Seanad Éireann
This is the upper house of the Oireachtas where the country's 60 senators sit. Unlike TDs, Senators are not directly elected but are elected in different ways. 43 Senators are elected by County Councillors, TDs and outgoing Senators. 11 Senators are appointed by the Taoiseach and six Senators are elected by people who have graduated from universities, three from the University of Dublin, Trinity College and three by graduates of the National University of Ireland. The Seanad examines the proposals that Dáil Éireann is considering and can ask the Dáil to consider its own suggestions. Senators can also suggest their own bills. Under the Constitution of Ireland the general election for the Seanad must occur not later than 90 days after the dissolution of Dáil Éireann. Membership is open to all Irish citizens over 21 and residing within Ireland, but a Senator cannot also be a member of Dáil Éireann.
Taoiseach
This is the Irish word for 'leader'. Following a general election, the Dáil meets and elects a TD to the position of Taoiseach to lead the government. The Taoiseach then chooses his or her cabinet to be voted in by the Dáil.
TDs
A person who is elected to Dáil Éireann is known as a Teachta Dála, a TD or a Dáil deputy. There are 166 TDs in Dáil Éireann, with most being members of political parties.
Election Glossary
Agent
This is the candidate's representative in their dealings with the electoral authorities and they are usually responsible for the running of the candidate's campaign.
Ballot Paper
Paper containing a list of all candidates standing in a constituency. Voters can chose who they would most like to represent them according to personal preference. Parties may run more than one candidate in a constituency if they wish. In this case, voters have the opportunity to choose which candidate from the party they would prefer. Usually candidates from the same party will reside in different areas of the constituency.
By-election
An election which occurs if a Dáil seat becomes vacant before a General Election is called. Such an election may be called if, for example, a sitting TD dies, resigns or becomes ineligible to sit for some reason.
Campaign
The period prior to election day within which political parties try to gain public support through advertising and campaigning. The candidates also take part in public appearances, debates and door to door canvassing.
Candidate
An individual put forward by his/her political party or who has decided independently to stand for election in a specific constituency.
Canvassing
During a campaign, the supporters of a candidate will (usually by going door-to-door) try to convince voters to elect their candidate. They may present, for example, the party's manifesto or discuss local issues with constituents.
Coalition Government
This type of government is formed when no party has obtained the seats to form an overall majority. In this case, a party may join with one or more parties in order form a government. After the results of the election become clear parties will usually meet to see if they can agree on a range of mutual policies which will enable them to enter government together. Alternatively parties may enter into a coalition pact prior to the general election which means they will commit to working with each other if they have the numbers to form a government. Due to Ireland's PRSTV electoral system, the majority of Irish governments are coalitions.
Constituency
This is the electoral area of each Parliamentary seat. There are currently 43 parliamentary constituencies in Ireland electing 166 TDs, who, in addition to legislating for the country will represent the interests of their constituency. Citizens living within this area are the voters of that constituency. Depending on its size, each constituency must have at least three members and a maximum of five members. The current ratio indicates that there is one TD for every 25,512 people. The Constitution states that the number of TDs cannot be more than one for every 20,000 of the population and cannot be less than one for every 30,000. There are now 166 TDs.
Constituency Commission
The body which reviews constituencies to make sure they represent current population patterns. The Commission presented its report on Dáil and European Parliament Constituencies in 2007. Following the report some constituents will now vote in new electoral areas.
Convention
A meeting of the delegates of a political party at which they choose their candidates for the constituency.
Count
This is the term for the counting of the votes which starts at 9am on the day after polling day. The ballot papers are sorted first according to the first preference votes given to each candidate and the spoiled votes are eliminated.
Delegate
A person who is chosen to represent a local political party at a political convention.
Dissolution of the Dáil
The official term for the end of a Dáil. The Taoiseach may call a general election by asking the President for the Dáil to be dissolved. The President also has the power to refuse the dissolution of Dáil Éireann.
Election System: PR-STV
Dáil Éireann is elected by proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote. This system allows voters to list candidates in order of preference in a multi-member constituency. In Dáil elections a candidate is elected once his or her votes reach the relevant quota . Any excess votes over this quota are transferred to the remaining candidates according to the further preferences made by these voters. The system allows for the representation to small parties and independents and also allows voters to choose among candidates of the same party. The electoral system cannot be changed without a referendum.
Exit Poll
An informal poll which is taken by asking people whom they have voted for as they leave the polling station. These polls are used to predict the outcome of the election before the polls are closed.
Electoral Register
A list of all those in a constituency entitled to vote. If a voter does not appear on the register they may still be able to vote if they can be added to the supplemental register.
First Count
The ballot papers are sorted first according to the first preference (number one) votes given to each candidate. This is the first count.
Front Runner
A front runner is the political candidate who looks likely to win a seat in the election.
General Election
This is the Election in which citizens throughout the country cast their votes in order to elect TDs to a new Dáil. General elections must take place at least every five years but do not fall on a fixed date.
Manifesto
A public declaration of a party's ideas and the policies it tends to implement if elected. This document is usually presented during the campaign as a pitch in order to convince voters to elect the party.
Opinion Poll
A survey asking people's opinion on election issues in order to ascertain the popularity of the different parties and individuals. In an election campaign, the key questions are usually about which party people will vote for and which politician they would like to see elected to the office of Taoiseach.
Party Political Broadcast
Broadcasts made by the parties and transmitted on TV or radio. The time allotted for party political broadcasts must not give an unfair preference to any political party. If a broadcaster decides to transmit party political broadcasts they must give all relevant parties an opportunity to participate, and broadcasts must be transmitted at times that are aimed at achieving a similar audience for all such broadcasts.
Polling Clerk
The person in the polling station who checks the electoral register to verify that the voter is eligible to vote.
Polling Day
Election day on which voters can vote. Polling day starts at 7 am and closes at 10 pm.
Polling Station
The location where constituents cast their votes.
Presiding Officer
The person responsible for ensuring the conduct of the ballot in polling stations. He/she must keep order at his station, regulate the number of Dáil electors to be admitted at a time and shall exclude all other persons except those authorized to be present in the station.
Quota
This is the number of votes that a candidate must obtain before being deemed elected. If a candidate is elected with more votes than the quota then that candidate will be deemed elected and their surplus (the number of votes they obtained in excess of that quota) will be distributed. If no candidate reaches the quota then one candidate will be eliminated and their second preferences will be distributed. This means that the people who gave that person a number one vote will now have their second vote counted instead.
Recount
The returning officer can decide at any time to re-examine and recount all or any of the ballot papers and change results already announced. Candidates can request a re-examination and recount of any particular count or, before the result is formally declared, request a total recount of all votes.
Returning Officer
The officer in charge of elections in each of the Dáil constituencies. The returning officer shall appoint a presiding officer to each polling station.
Second Count
After the results of the first count, the second preferences of each voter will be counted. These second preference votes consist of either the first preferences of an eliminated candidate or the surplus votes of a candidate who has reached the quota and already been elected.
Spoiled Votes
Ballot papers which have been filled in incorrectly. A paper is spoiled if it does not have an official mark, if it does not indicate a clear choice or if anything is written on the ballot paper by which the voter can be identified. The returning officer has the final say over whether any paper not marked is valid.
Supplemental Register
If an eligible voter is not included in the Electoral Register they may apply for inclusion on the Supplemental Register at least 15 days before polling day.
Surplus votes
If a candidate receives more votes than the quota on any count, that candidate will be deemed elected. The extra votes a candidate gained above the quota will be distributed among the rest of the candidates contesting the election. This means that the number two vote on these ballot papers will now be counted in favour of the voter's chosen candidate.
Swing Voters
This term is used to describe voters who do not have allegiance to a particular political party.
Turnout
The number or percentage of people eligible to vote who actually do so.
Voters
In order to be able to vote in a general election a constituent must be a citizen of Ireland or Britain, 18 years of age on the day the Register of Electors comes into force (15th February) and registered to vote on either the Register of Electors or the Supplemental Register.
Voting
Voters indicate the candidate they would most like to elect and can indicate their next preferences if they wish. Voters can vote for candidates of different parties or independents. Some parties may run two candidates in a constituency which gives voters the opportunity to choose which member of the party they would prefer to see gain a Dáil seat.