Concern over limited North Antrim petition centres
Concerns have been raised over the decision to only open three venues for voters in North Antrim to sign a petition to remove Ian Paisley as an MP.
The politician, who has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of a party investigation, has been suspended from Westminster for 30 days for breaching parliamentary rules.
Mr Paisley failed to properly declare family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.
The Electoral Commission has announced that three venues will be open for six weeks:
Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney
Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena
Sheskburn House, Ballycastle
People can also apply to sign the petition by post or proxy vote.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann, who has confirmed he will be signing the petition, said the number of venues was “totally inadequate” for the size of the constituency.
He added: “By restricting the opening hours to mainly 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, the Electoral Office have shown little regard to people in daytime employment.
“I suspect that this very limited provision, both in terms of locations and timings, will lead to a larger than usual request for postal votes - and whether rightly or wrongly, this may well lead to accusations of voter identity abuse.”
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said the limited number of venues in a large rural constituency was “extremely disappointing and greatly reduces people’s ability to reject Ian Paisley’s disgraceful behaviour”.
Alliance representative Patricia O’Lynn said her party was registering as an official campaigner and calling for people to sign the petition to “show the DUP there are serious questions over the trust they can give them”.
She added: “It is disappointing only three venues will be available and during working hours. However, constituents will be able to apply for the postal option and I encourage them to do so.
“If we are to regain the trust of the wider public in politics, there must be full openness and transparency from all and an end to the ongoing corruption which has been alleged lately.”
A by-election will be triggered if 10% of the eligible electorate in North Antrim – around 7,500 people – sign the petition to remove Ian Paisley.