Jim Gavin Appears on the Ballot Despite Withdrawal
The Presidential Returning Officer has confirmed that Jim Gavin will appear on the ballot for the presidential election, even after the Fianna Fáil candidate’s dramatic withdrawal from the race. The ruling clarifies that once nomination papers are delivered, a candidate may withdraw before the ruling on nominations is completed, but not after. In this case, the ruling on nominations occurred at 15:00 on Wednesday, 24 September, and all three candidates — independent Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, and Jim Gavin — remain listed on the ballot.
Legal Framework and Ballot Integrity
Under section 20 of the 1993 Act, the returning officer noted that the nominations ruling was finalized at the specified time, which means Gavin’s name will stay on the ballot. This decision settles questions about whether Gavin would be counted and how transfers would be handled should he receive votes. The three-candidate ballot is maintained to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and consistency with the established counting rules.
Counting Will Proceed as Normal
The returning officer emphasized that the counting of votes will proceed according to the standard rules laid out in the 1993 Act. That means Gavin’s votes will be counted in the same way as those for other candidates, and any transfers will be distributed in accordance with the established transfer rules. This approach aims to preserve fairness for all candidates and voters, regardless of a candidate’s withdrawal from the race prior to or after nomination rulings.
Why the Withdrawal Caused Turmoil
Jim Gavin announced he was withdrawing from the presidential race late on Sunday, saying recent days prompted reflection. The statement followed scrutiny over reports on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics debate about the repayment of a tenant’s €3,300 rent. Gavin acknowledged a lapse, saying the episode did not reflect his character or the standards he aimed to uphold. The withdrawal has triggered internal upheaval within Fianna Fáil, with members expressing shock over what they viewed as insufficient vetting of the candidate by party leadership.
Implications for Voters
For voters, Gavin’s continued presence on the ballot means they will see his name listed on the ballot paper and can cast a vote. The counting and redistribution of preferences will proceed regardless of the withdrawal, in line with statutory provisions. Voters should review the official ballot paper and the instructions at polling stations to ensure they understand how transfers will be handled if Gavin is elected or if preferences are redistributed from other candidates.
Next Steps for Fianna Fáil and the Campaign
With Gavin still on the ballot, Fianna Fáil faces a leadership and strategy challenge as the party navigates the fallout from the withdrawal. Party officials are likely to review vetting processes and candidate selection in order to restore public confidence ahead of any future elections or political campaigns. For the electorate, the focus remains on the issues, policy proposals, and the overall integrity of the electoral process.
