Supplement to the Register of Electors

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (2A)), an application to be entered on the supplement to the register of electors shall be made by the applicant directly to the registration authority and the declaration on the application shall –

(a) before the application is submitted to the registration authority, be signed by the applicant in the presence of a member of the Garda Síochána from the applicant’s local Garda station who, on being satisfied of the applicant’s identity, including if necessary, by the production of photographic identification and any other identification that may be requested by that member, shall sign, date and stamp the application form, or
(b) where the applicant establishes in writing that he is unable to comply with subparagraph (a), be signed by the applicant in the presence of an official of the registration authority who, on being satisfied of the applicant’s identity, including if necessary, by the production of photographic identification and any other identification that may be requested by that officer, shall sign, date and stamp the application form.

(2) Where the applicant is unable, due to a physical illness or physical disability, to comply with paragraph (1), the application shall be accompanied by a certificate in the form directed by the Minister from a medical practitioner certifying –

(a) the nature and extent of the applicant’s physical illness or physical disability, and
(b) an indication of the expected duration of that illness or disability.

(2A) The following provisions shall apply in relation to an application to be entered in the supplement to the register of electors by an elector who is detained in prison pursuant to an order of a court:

(a) the application shall be in the form directed by the Minister;
(b) the application shall be signed by the applicant or, if the applicant is unable to write, he or she shall place his or her mark on the application form and, in either case, the form shall be completed in accordance with the instructions provided thereon;
(c) the application form, duly completed and accompanied by the certificate referred to in paragraph (2B), shall be handed to the relevant official (within the meaning of section 1 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006) who shall send it or cause it to be sent by post to the registration authority.

(2B) The certificate referred to in subparagraph (c) of paragraph (2A) is a certificate, in the form directed by the Minister, under the hand of the relevant official of the prison concerned stating that he or she is satisfied as to the identity of the applicant.

(3) Nothing in this rule limits the powers that are given to the registration authority under rule 5(3) and that under rule 15(1) apply in relation to the consideration of an application to be entered on the supplement to the register of electors.