"Some voters (or rather non-voters) have today been spoiling their votes for several reasons, including in protest at a perceived lack of diversity of candidates, or distaste for those on the ballot. There has also been a campaign led by businessman and former election candidate Declan Ganley urging people to spoil their vote because pro-life campaigner Maria Steen didn't get on the ticket."
"Some defacing their ballots and posting them on social media have made reference to the alleged sexual assault of a girl near Citywest that sparked several nights of rioting and for which a man is before the courts. And a selection also carried abusive messages directed at mainstream politicians and repeated far-right talking points around international protection applicants. Here are some of the milder examples that have so far been posted on social media."
Some non-voters are deliberately spoiling ballots to protest a perceived lack of candidate diversity or because they dislike those on the ballot. Businessman and former election candidate Declan Ganley led a campaign urging people to spoil votes after pro-life campaigner Maria Steen did not make the ticket. Several spoilt ballots posted on social media referenced the alleged sexual assault of a girl near Citywest that sparked several nights of rioting and led to a man facing court. Other spoilt ballots contained abusive messages aimed at mainstream politicians and repeated far-right rhetoric about international protection applicants. Milder examples of these spoilt ballots have circulated online.
Read at Irish Independent
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