Balnamore PS polling station removal in favour of St Brigid's and Ballymoney Model 'likely to discourage voting': MP Allister
North Antrim MP Jim Allister has formally objected to the Electoral Office's proposal to remove a polling station from Balnamore.
The proposal would require local residents wishing to vote in next year’s elections to travel to Ballymoney – Balnamore voters to St Brigid’s Primary School and Seacon and Macfin voters to Ballymoney Model Integrated Primary School.
In his letter to the Electoral Office, the TUV MP said the proposal was “highly inconvenient and likely to discourage voting”.
He continued: “Balnamore PS building still exists and I’m sure could be made available. If not, there are other community buildings in the area.
"When I look at other areas I see meaningful efforts to accommodate local communities, for example, though geographically close, both Waterfoot and Cushendall are to each have their own polling station. Why are my constituents in and around Balnamore being treated less favourably?
"Moreover, with almost 5,000 proposed to vote at St Brigid’s, it is grossly oversubscribed and, with limited parking and limitations on the associated roads infrastructure, it is likely to become chaotic.
"I believe therefore that you must urgently review your proposal so as to restore to Balnamore and area a suitable and convenient polling station.”
Causeway Coast and Glens TUV Councillor, Jonathan McAuley, added his condemnation of the proposal, describing it as a serious undermining of the democratic process when voting is made more difficult by replacing a convenient polling station with an inconvenient one.
"Requiring Balnamore residents to travel to the already crowded and hard to access St Brigid's is ridiculous. It will be chaotic. Balnamore polling station must be restored."