Referendum result in Ireland
Information
The following information explains how referendum results are collated.
The day after the poll, the local returning officer opens the ballot boxes at a counting centre in each constituency. The local returning officer will count the votes for and against the proposed amendment and will report the result to the referendum returning officer.
When the referendum returning officer has received all of the results from all of the constituencies in Ireland, he or she will draw up a provisional referendum certificate stating the overall result of the voting. The certificate will also state whether the proposed amendment has been approved by the people.
The provisional certificate will be published in Irish Oifiguil (Ireland's Official State Gazette). If you wish to challenge the provisional certificate, you must present a petition to the High Court within 7 days of the publication of the provisional certificate. If no petition in presented to the High Court, the certificate becomes final.
If the final certificate shows that the majority of the votes cast were in favour of the proposal to amend the Constitution, the Bill is signed by the Irish President and the Constitution is then amended.
Language
Related Documents
- Voting in a referendum in Ireland
Who can vote in a referendum in Ireland, where do you cast your vote and how do you cast your vote? - Referenda - Introduction
When the Irish Government wishes to change or amend the Irish Constitution, or introduce a law of national importance, a referendum must be held. - Ordinary Referendum
An Ordinary Referendum in Ireland is one that does not relate to amending the basic law of Ireland (the Constitution). Find out why an Ordinary Referendum would be held.
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