People dead five years still registered to vote - claim

People who have been dead for five years are still registered to vote and others are appearing twice and three times on the register, according to Cllr Mick Dollard.

Speaking at the annual estimates meeting of Westmeath County Council, he said that it was impossible to get an accurate percentage turnout at elections because the register was not accurate.

Mark Keaveney, director of services, claimed the register is continuously updated and a lot of time goes into improving it.

He suggested that the use of public service card numbers and Eircodes will make the new register more precise.

Cllr Dollard replied that there is no sector of society that is as close to the people as local representatives.

He asked his council colleagues, if they come across people who are dead or are on the register more than once, to address the issue.