Office of the Returning Officer Galway East and West
The Courthouse
Galway
November 2024
GALWAY EAST AND GALWAY WEST CONSTITUENCIES
GENERAL ELECTION 29th NOVEMBER 2024
A Chara,
I hereby give you notice that I shall –
1. Open the postal voters’ ballot boxes at Galway Courthouse on the 29th November 2024 at 3 pm. You may appoint one agent to attend. The Agent’s name and address should be sent to me at
This is a process to open all Postal and Special votes received, simply to confirm that the documentation accompanying same is correct. The Ballot paper will not be unfolded and no one will see any preferences on a Ballot paper. The unfolded Ballot paper will then be placed in the Postal Ballot Box and taken to the Count Centre that evening and placed with all other Ballot Boxes from throughout the Galway constituencies of Galway East and West.
2. Please furnish the name and phone number of any personation agent appointed by you and the polling station to which he or she is assigned by you. This should be notified to me at least two clear working days before polling day, preferably 26th November 2024 to my email address as above. There are strict rules for the Personation agent and kindly familiarise the agent with same. If the Personation Agent (PA) leaves the Polling Station the PA may only return if the Register of Electors has been handed to the Presiding Officer before departure.
2a POSTERS. The law states that all posters must be a minimum of 50 meters from the curtilage of a Polling Place. Please ensure you comply with this by removing all posters within this area on or before 6th June. You may be subject to a court prosecution if this is not complied in full. The Returning Officer will be ringing you directly on Polling day if Posters are a problem.
3. As Returning Officer I will begin the opening and verification of the ballot papers at 9 a.m. on the 30th November 2024 at the Lawn Tennis Club, Threadneedle Road for Galway West and The Presentation College Headford for Galway East. Passes have been provided to candidates for the Count centre which you may wish to pass to any agents /tally persons who may wish to attend. As advised, I am constrained by space as to how many people may be admitted to each Count Centre. I am under the direction of the Fire Officer and Health and Safety considerations. The Pass does not guarantee entry if the numbers exceed the total permitted. Each pass must be handed in on entry and it will be returned to you if you intend to return.
4. The Ballot Boxes will be opened in a particular order as set out in the Polling Scheme. This information is on the galwayreturningofficer.com
5. Candidates and their Agents are reminded that they must not engage with or speak to Count Staff and also the they must never touch or attempt to touch a Ballot paper.
6. Candidates and electoral officials will be admitted by identifying themselves to security staff and perhaps you would carry photo id for this purpose eg driving licence/ public services card. Similarly elected Public Representatives may be admitted without an admission ticket.
7. Media passes can be obtained by emailing
Please treat all Election Staff and fellow candidates with respect and courtesy at all times. This is a process which will take several days and cannot be rushed. I appreciate that it will be frustrating by times and tensions may run high but my intention and that of my Team is to conduct and efficient and accurate Count and to avoid the necessity for lengthy rechecks or recounts. During the counting process any queries should be directed to Susan Mahon at 0877679667 or in person for Galway West and David Mulkerrin for Galway East.
Count Centre Galway West: Count Centre Galway East:
Lawn Tennis Club, Presentation College
Threadneedle Road, Headford
Galway Co. Galway
Mise le meas,
Marian Chambers Higgins
Constituency Returning Officer for Galway East and West