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Irelandʼs multicultural newspaper
15-31 May 2014 G Vol 15 Issue 14
HEʼS A FIGHTER Rivers Stateʼs governor boasts achievement against the odds P8
Emer Costello – Working Together
Vote
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23 May 2014 Phone: 01 8746109 Email: emer@emercostello.ie
TRIPLE VOTE FOR POLISH CANDIDATE Lech Szczecinski on ballot for wards in Dublin City & Fingal By Chinedu Onyejelem A POLISH candidate in the 23 May local elections is standing in three different electoral wards across two councils, Metro Éireann has learned. Lech Szczeciński (58) told Metro Éireann that he is contesting the election in Dublin City Council’s CrumlinKimmage ward, as well as the Howth-Malahide and Swords constituencies of Fingal County Council. “Irish regulations give you a right to run in local elections in few wards,” he said, adding that he has not been made
aware of any limitations. Szczecińsk said his decision to run in three different wards was “caused by a need” to give voice to immigrants. “I am focused on foreigners mainly because, in my opinion, they stay on the margins of political life,” he added. The Polish independent, who previously stood in the 2009 local elections in the former South West Inner City constituency, said that immigrants make up over 13 per cent of the population and deserve to be represented in decision making on a local level at the very least. “[Among] over 800 councillors we [immigrants] have only
four representatives in local government in the whole of Ireland. I think that should be changed,” said Szczeciński. “If we are talking so much about integration, we [immigrants] should be able to take some responsibility in this country as well. And Irish people should be able to accept us as legal representatives of this society.” Asked what he would do if elected in more than one ward, Szczeciński – who has been living in Ireland for the past eight years – said the decision “will be taken later” based on where he would gain the most votes.
He emphasised that while he can run in more than one constituency, Irish law does not allow one person to represent more than one ward in the same council. Meanwhile, he urged voters in the three wards he’s contending to vote for him if they truly believe in “real change”. “This year you have got an absolutely unique and exceptional opportunity to make a choice of a foreign national as your representative in the local council,” he said. “Do not overlook and do not waste this meaningful moment.” » Local elections, page 5
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