Once the nomination of Seanad panel candidates has taken place, the returning officer sends a list of the candidates nominated for each panel to each voter. The list will indicate the name of the candidate and the bodies or persons who nominated them.
On the day of the poll, the returning officer sends each voter five ballot papers by registered post - one for each panel. The ballot papers will show the names of the candidates in alphabetical order, their addresses and descriptions and the sub-panel they were nominated to.
If the candidates have a political affiliation, this is not mentioned on the ballot paper.
The voter marks the order of his or her choice of candidates and returns the ballot papers by registered post to the returning officer.
There is a separate count for each panel. The candidates are elected according to the principle of proportional representation with single transferable vote.
A quota of votes is calculated to work out the number of votes necessary to become a candidate. If a candidate reaches the quota he is deemed elected.
If a candidate obtains more votes than the quota, the surplus will be distributed to the remaining candidates in accordance with the next preference shown on the ballot papers. If no candidate reaches the quota, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and his or her votes are distributed according to the next preference shown on the ballot papers.
The number of candidates who can be elected from each panel are as follows;
If a Senator dies, resigns or is disqualified from Seanad Eireann, the vacancy will be filled by a by-election.
Only certain people can vote in Seanad panel elections. They must be