Unique distinction for Ballina LEA in the 2024 Local Elections
Clonakilty, West Cork, Ireland. 8th Jun, 2024. The voting papers are sorted by Count Centre staff. Picture: Andy Gibson.
An interesting tidbit – a potential table quiz question in the years to come – has emerged around one of Mayo’s Local Electoral Areas.
Out of Ireland’s 166 Local Electoral Areas, just one remains to announce its first count.
The Ballina LEA is the remaining outlier although that is mainly down to outside circumstances. It had been intended to start counting the Ballina votes tonight in the Velvet Room following the conclusion of the count in Swinford but a recount has been called for Swinford following a dramatic end to the fifth and final count.
Returning Officer John Condon said the Swinford recount would take place tomorrow morning at 10am in the Ruby Room downstairs allowing the Ballina count to proceed at the same time in the Velvet Room. A first count for the Ballina LEA could maybe be expected around lunchtime on Monday.
Some consideration was probably given to the count staff in the Velvet Room, who burned the midnight oil and continued through Saturday night into Sunday morning to complete the Castlebar count. They wrapped up around 8am but returned just before 2pm to begin counting the Swinford votes.
This could all change if a recount comes into play in the remarkably tight Westport Municipal District. Check out our live blog to keep up to date with all the latest developments.
