Crossgar residents WILL get to vote in village after U-turn

Crossgar residents WILL get to vote in village after U-turn

20 March 2019

ALMOST 2,000 voters in Crossgar have been given a pre-election boost.

The Electoral Office has bowed to political pressure and will now allow residents to vote at Glasswater Primary School in their home village.

During previous local government elections, residents had to vote in either Killyleagh or nearby Drumaghlis but, on May 2 they will be voting in Crossgar following a decision by the province’s most senior electoral official.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Virginia McVea, met recently with South Down MLA Colin McGrath and Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews to discuss the issue and has agreed that residents can vote in Crossgar in just a few weeks’ time.

The politicians had argued that it “beggared belief” that in people in Crossgar could vote in their own village for Westminster and Assembly elections, but had to go elsewhere when it came to a local government poll.

Describing the decision as “great news”, Mr McGrath said many voters will not now have to make alternative arrangements on May 2.

“The level of distress and annoyance that voting elsewhere brought to Crossgar voters cannot be understated,” he declared.

“Cllr Andrews and I sought an urgent meeting with Ms McVea to put forward the case for returning a polling station to Crossgar and how this could be facilitated. This has been a long standing issue and I am glad it has been brought to a close ahead of the May election.”

Mr McGrath described the forthcoming election as “profoundly important” and said he wanted to see as many people as possible voting and making their voice heard. 

He added: “It is of the absolute importance that people exercise that democratic right, make their voice heard and should never be deterred from doing so.”

Cllr Andrews said confirmation that Crossgar residents will be able to vote in the village will be particularly welcome for the elderly and those with physical disabilities.

He said the polling station issue dates back to the 2014 council election, explaining there are many elderly constituents in Crossgar who would not be able to travel to other polling stations which was a matter of concern.

Cllr Andrews explained the irony of the situation is that people who live within touching distance of the John Street primary school polling station were previously not allowed to vote there during a council election, but those from outside the village could. 

He said the decision to force people in Crossgar to vote in polling centres several miles away made no sense.

Cllr Andrews added: “The decision to ensure that people will not now have to leave Crossgar to vote shows what can be achieved when public representatives work with statutory bodies and put forward a rational case to them. 

“I warmly welcome this news and thank the Electoral Office for working with us and concerned residents in bringing this matter to a close.”