Electoral Reform Act 2022

Chapter 5

Referendum functions

Referendum functions of Commission

31. (1) The Commission shall have, in addition to any functions conferred on it by any other provision of this Act, the following principal functions in relation to a referendum:

(a) to prepare a statement or statements containing a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposal for the referendum concerned and of the text thereof in the relevant Bill and any other information relating to those matters that the Commission considers appropriate;

(b) to publish (in both the Irish and English languages) and distribute such statements in relation to the referendum concerned in such manner and by such means including the use of television, radio and other electronic media as the Commission considers most likely to bring them to the attention of the electorate and to ensure as far as practicable that the means employed enable those with a sight or hearing disability to read or hear the statements concerned;

(c) to promote public awareness of the referendum and encourage the public to vote at the referendum, in accordance with section 67 .

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of section 30 (2), the Commission shall have the following powers in relation to a referendum:

(a) to prepare, publish and distribute brochures, leaflets, pamphlets and posters; and

(b) to distribute the statements aforesaid to each presidential elector or each household.

(3) The Commission or a member of the Commission shall not advocate or promote a particular result at a referendum.