Varadkar did not break electoral law with polling station video – Fine Gael

Cillian Sherlock, PA

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar did not break electoral rules by filming a campaign video outside his local polling station, his party has said.

The Fine Gael leader participated in a social media video for his party outside Scoil Treasa Naofa after voting in the referendums on Friday.

In the Instagram video, Mr Varadkar encouraged viewers to vote yes in the referendums.

The video was filmed around the corner from the entrance to the polling station.

 

The Electoral Act 1992 and Referendum Act 1994 states that a person shall not interfere with, obstruct, impede electors within 100 metres of a polling station.

It also says a person should not attempt to induce voters to vote in a particular way “by any means whatsoever” or use public-address mechanisms to broadcast matter relating to the vote – in the pursuit of a particular result in the referendum.

Asked about the campaign video, a spokesperson for Fine Gael said: “No breach of the Electoral Act took place. The Taoiseach did not obstruct, interfere or induce any electors in the vicinity of the polling station.”