Monaghan County Council is concluding the first phase of a comprehensive data cleansing programme on the Register of Electors. This work is part of the Council’s obligation to maintain an accurate and reliable Register and will result in the removal of a significant number of entries that cannot be validated.
Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council said, “Maintaining a credible and accurate Register is essential to protecting the integrity of the democratic process. This phase of the cleansing programme ensures that the data we hold reflects the current, eligible population of County Monaghan.”
The Electoral Commission, in its Oversight Report on the Electoral Registers, has identified over‑registration, currently measured at 104% in County Monaghan, as a key issue affecting the accuracy of the Register. To address this, the Council is required to identify and remove records relating to individuals who are no longer eligible to vote, including those who have moved away or appear more than once on the Register. Ensuring accuracy requires complete and current information for all eligible electors.
During this first phase, the focus has been on electors whose records contain only the most basic information (name and townland, without date of birth, Eircode, or PPSN). These electors have been contacted three times and formally requested to update their details. This process is enabled under Rule 5(3) of the Second Schedule to the Electoral Act 1992, as amended by Section 106(a)(IV) of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
Of the original 6,922 electors in this category, approximately 4,022 have responded and their details have been updated. As the engagement deadline of 23rd February 2026 has now passed, the remaining individuals will be removed from the Register in accordance with Part 3, Section 106(10) of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. Final correspondence will issue to all electors whose names are scheduled for removal.
Cathaoirleach PJ O’Hanlon noted, “We strongly encourage all eligible electors to engage with the Council when contacted. Providing complete and up‑to‑date information is the best way to ensure your continued inclusion on the Register and to support the fairness and transparency of future electoral events.”
We encourage everyone to check, confirm or update their details on www.checktheregister.ie
For further information, contact the Register of Electors Team at 047 30551 or email register@monaghancoco.ie