#independent-candidates

#independent-candidates

The Taoiseach has rejected suggestions that the nomination process for the presidential election is "anti-democratic" after a failure of Independent candidates to get on the ballot prompted calls for changes to the rules.

"Fine Gael public representatives cannot in any way facilitate the nomination of any candidate other than the ratified Fine Gael candidate. "In the event of a vote of any local authority on the nomination of a person other than the ratified Fine Gael candidate, the Fine Gael local authority members are whipped to oppose that nomination," the email from party general secretary John Carroll said.

Once every seven years, the councillors get to exercise a profound power that has enormous implications. Councils get to decide if a candidate can get on the ticket for the election to become president. It's a privileged position the council members find themselves in. There are two routes to get on the ballot. The first and most obvious route is through the Oireachtas, where the signatures of 20 TDs and senators are required.

You're seeing this stuff about a three-way race because people know if you have a 'D' next to your name in this state, you are dead meat because this party is a disaster.

Pizzo believes that running as a no-party candidate will appeal to independents, stating that the Democratic Party is 'dead' and pushing for fresh alternatives.