Aontú under fire from Mayo over spoilt Presidential ballots saying it was ‘a slur on democracy’
Mayo councillors have strongly criticised Aontú representatives for encouraging voters to spoil their ballots during the recent presidential election, describing the move as "a slur on democracy".
At the November meeting of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, several councillors expressed anger and disappointment at Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín and Mayo TD Paul Lawless, who both admitted to spoiling their votes.
Cllr Patsy O'Brien said he found the actions of the Aontú representatives "incredible".
"For any public representative to say 'spoil the vote' - I think it's incredible,"
"That's up to the people themselves to do what they want to do, democracy is democracy," he added.
"An Aontú representative said publicly that he spoilt his vote, and his leader Peader Tobin has spoilt his vote,
"Can I ask the question, when the next general election comes, will they ask the people to spoil their vote? I don't think they will," he stated.
"I think it's incredible that any person that puts their name on a ballot paper would ask anyone to spoil their vote".
Cllr O'Brien said he was particularly disappointed given that the Aontú representative had benefited from a number of transfer votes in the 2024 General Election
"Coming from someone who richly deserved in a general election with many transfers from people across the board. I don't think anyone gave a vote or a preference with the thought that they would say go out and spoil your vote."
Deputy Lawless was elected to the Daíl on the fifth count last December.
Cllr Damien Ryan echoed the comments of his colleague, calling the move a "slur on democracy".
"Too many people lost their lives for the ability and the right to vote. To go out and spoil your vote is a slur on democracy."
He also defended the presidential nomination process, which has come under fire from Aontú members.
"There was a nomination available from this local authority, but not one candidate asked for it personally, and that's why they didn't get it - the nomination process may not be perfect, but there is nothing wrong with it."
Cllr Ryan suggested reforming the process to create a fairer and more balanced nomination system.
"Close of nominations should be three months before any election. What happened here was candidates were waiting and waiting to see what the field was like before they declared an interest."
"The legislator needs to change the time for close of nominations, and it should be no shorter than three months before the election. It is a fair and level playing field for everybody,
"That's what happened on this occasion, the run-in was too short and a lot of [candidates] waited all summer,
"We have ones now crying that they didn't get nominations. They had plenty of opportunity to declare last March or April if they wanted to.”
He highlighted that a lot of candidates who run for local or general elections are out on the ground canvassing 12 months prior to polling day in order to build up the support needed to get elected.
Aontú TD Paul Lawless confirmed he spoilt his vote in the presidential election, writing "Ireland deserves better" across his ballot paper.
Speaking on the All-Ireland Whingers podcast, Deputy Lawless said his decision reflected a growing frustration among voters who felt they had been denied a meaningful choice.
"I had to consider very carefully who I could vote for, and I came to the conclusion that there was nobody on that ballot paper who represented my views," he said.
Deputy Lawless accused Government parties of deliberately limiting the field of candidates.
"People were given a curated ballot paper, we worked incredibly hard to try and expand that voice, but we were shut by every avenue, and that was a purposeful and concerted effort by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael."
After the meeting, Aontú councillor Deirdre Lawless described the remarks made by her colleagues as "disappointing and disgusting".
She said claims that the nomination process had been democratic were disingenuous, arguing that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had employed the party whip to block potential candidates.
"The people sent a message loud and clear to the government on polling day, but rather than analysing this and learning from it, they lash out at anyone who did not agree with them. Even now, weeks on. This disconnect is highlighted by comments made at the November meeting of the Claremorris MD," she said.
Cllr Lawless, who had proposed the nomination of Maria Steen at Mayo County Council, said the rejection of that motion was the efforts of the political establishment deciding to keep the race to themselves.
She said that many voters who spoilt their ballots did so reluctantly.
"Those who spoilt their votes did not do so with a smile on their faces. They exercised their democratic right to vote with heavy hearts and a huge frustration at the farce that was the Presidential race of 2025," she said.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.