Returning Officer refutes Attwood
The Electoral Returning Office for Cavan/Monaghan has
denied claims by the SDLP's Alex Attwood that there was
electoral malpractice in the constituency in the June
1997 general election.
In the wake of a House of Commons Committee discussion
of alleged electoral malpractice in the Six Counties
Attwood went on RTE's Morning Ireland on 24 March to
accuse Sinn Féin of vote-rigging. His comments were
challenged on air by SF Belfast City Councillor Alex
Maskey but Attwood went on to allege malpractice in
Cavan/Monaghan. The Returning Officer for
Cavan/Monaghan Tom Owens immediately contacted the
programme and a statement from him was read out to the
effect that there had not been a single complaint or
query about the outcome of the election. No party
complained of electoral malpractice.
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin, who topped the poll
in the constituency last June, said he was ``astounded
and outraged by the SDLP spokesperson's claim of
widespread vote-stealing in Cavan/Monaghan''. Deputy O
Caoláin said:
``Alex Attwood's comments are a slight on all parties
and all candidates in Cavan/Monaghan. No party, no
candidate, successful or unsuccessful has made any such
claim in Cavan/Monaghan. On the contrary, we have all
acknowledged the fair campaign of all the contestants.
Alex Attwood's begrudging attitude to Sinn Féin's
electoral success clearly knows no bounds.''
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