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Notice of Dáil Election
CONSTITUENCY OF DUBLIN CENTRAL
Pursuant to a writ issued to me by the Clerk of Dáil Éireann I am about to proceed to the election of 1 member of the Dáil for this constituency.
Nomination papers may be obtained from the address below during the usual office hours or may be downloaded from this website.
A person may nominate himself/herself as a candidate or may, with his/her consent, be nominated by a proposer who is registered as a Dáil elector in the constituency.
A nomination paper from a candidate of a registered political party must have a certificate of political affiliation attached which must be produced to me with his/her completed nomination paper.
If no certificate is attached, the candidate must, before the latest time for receiving nominations, either-
- secure 30 assents to the nomination by way of statutory declarations by Dáil electors registered in the constituency (forms available from my office or website below or the registration authority), or
- make a deposit of €500 (deposit may also be made on the candidate’s behalf).
Details of these requirements are set out in the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2007.
The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on the 1st day of May 2026.
Completed nomination papers may be delivered to me in person by the candidate or his/her proposer at any time when I am at my office, from 10am on the 28th day of April 2026 until 12 noon on the last day for receiving nominations.
I am required by law to attend to receive nominations between 10am and 12 noon and between 2pm and 5pm on the 30th day of April 2026, and between 10am and 12 noon on the 1st day of May 2026.
If the election is contested, a poll will be taken on the 22nd day of May 2026 between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm.
Joseph Burke
Returning Officer
54 Fitzwilliam Square North
Dublin 2
Date: 24th April 2026
Checklist for Candidates
Dublin Central Bye-Election 22nd May 2026
Nominations Check List
The process of nominations is governed by the Electoral Act, 1992, as amended
(in particular as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2007)
General
- Nomination Forms are available on this website and from 54 Fitzwilliam Square North, Dublin 2 during usual office hours.
- Completed hardcopy nomination papers may be submitted to the Returning Officer at 54 Fitzwilliam Square North, Dublin 2 from: 10am Tuesday, 28th April until 12 noon on Friday, 1st May.
- The Office of the Returning Officer takes no responsibility for nominations not properly submitted before 12 noon Friday, 1st May, 2026.
- The latest time for withdrawals is 12 noon on Saturday, 2nd May, 2026.
- Nominations will be processed by appointment. To schedule an appointment email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 01 6759015
Requirements
Political Party
- A person may nominate himself/herself or be nominated by a registered elector in the constituency as Proposer.
- Declaration to be signed by Candidate or Proposer.
- Certificate of political affiliation.
- SIPO details of Candidate and Agent.
- A good quality digital photograph together with two identical printed copies 35mm X 45mm.
Non-Party
- Same as for Political Party Candidate but no need for certificate of political affiliation
- Deposit of €500 OR
- 30 Assents
- Each Assentor must be on the Electoral Register for the constituency.
- Each Assentor must complete a statutory declaration in the prescribed form which includes the polling number and polling district letters confirming his/her being on the register.
- Each Assentor will require photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence.
STRONG Recommendations:
- Please email a copy of the completed Nomination Papers to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 24 hours in advance of appointment. Do not arrange to submit the nomination papers on the last day as if there is a difficulty the Candidate may not have time to amend any defects. - In advance of the appointment with the Returning Officer, a Non-Party Candidate availing of the Assentor procedure should ensure that the 30 Statutory Declarations are completed by the Assentors at the Dublin City Council Office in the presence of an authorised official of the Registration Authority (Contact 01 2225010 to speak with a member of the Register of Electors Team or email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This ensures that the process can be completed within the one hour available to the Returning Officer as set out by Statute.
Joseph Burke
Returning Officer
Information for Prospective Candidates 2026
Prospective candidates for the Dublin Central bye-election, being held on 22nd May 2026, can download the various forms required to register their nomination from the link below.
Candidate Nomination Forms for a Dáil Election
Please note that while these forms can be prepared in advance they cannot be accepted by the Returning Officer until the start of the official nomination period which will only be known when the election has been called. Details of the dates and times available for submission of nomination forms will be published on this website once known.
Work Applications
We may have a small number of vacancies for work at the forthcoming Bye-Election in Dublin Central which will be held on 22nd May 2026. You can apply by clicking on "Apply for Work" in the menu at the left hand side of this web page.
We will ONLY accept applications made through this website so please do not phone or write to us looking for work.
Persons campaigning for any candidate in the election are NOT ELIGIBLE to work for us on this election. This includes posts made on social media.
Privacy Statement
Returning Officer’s Privacy Statement
The Returning Officer for Dublin Bay South constituency is responsible under electoral law for the conduct of Dáil elections and for taking the poll and counting the votes at Presidential and European Parliament elections and referendums.
The Returning Officer is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This privacy statement explains how the Returning Officer, as the Data Controller, will process the personal data provided to him or her in respect of elections and referendums; how that information will be used, and what rights you may exercise in relation to your personal data.
The privacy statement may be viewed by clicking the following link.
Contact Us
You can contact us via any of the following methods.
PostDublin City Returning Officer.
54 Fitzwilliam Square,
Dublin 2.