Over 30,000 local voters to revisit Lisbon Treaty

Over 30,000 voters from Athlone and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to revisit Lisbon. Almost sixteen months after the first referendum, local citizens will again be asked if Ireland should ratify the Lisbon Treaty. Figures obtained from Westmeath County Council show that in the Athlone area 19,401 people are eligible to cast their verdict this Friday, while across the Longford/Westmeath constituency as a whole 56,850 people are registered to vote. In South Roscommon some 10,805 people can go to the polls, and in the Roscommon/South Leitrim constituency the total is 46,569. A significant increase in the number of people voting Yes will be necessary if the treaty is to be carried in the region on this occasion. On June 12 last year, both the Longford/Westmeath and Roscommon/South Leitrim constituencies voted No by 54% to 46%. National opinion polls which have been published over the course of the last week indicated that most people were now in favour of the treaty, but that the No campaign had gained some ground in recent weeks. Polls will be open on Friday from 7am to 10pm.