DONEGAL County Council has called for a 'root and branch' reform of the electoral register.
Mayor Enda Bonner raised the issue at this week's Council meeting in Lifford claiming many people had been removed from the register for no reason and were unable to vote in last week's general election.
Concerns were also raised over postal voting and the supplementary register.
He claimed that the register was 'worse than ever' this time around despite the fact that much money and time had been spent on getting it right.
"We should write to the Minister for the Environment to point out the inequities of the current system," he said.
In reply, Mr Eunan Sweeney, County Secretary, said that he has heard the same for much of the past thirty years.
"Every time an election comes around we're told that the register was never worse. That said, money on its own will not sort out the current problems in the system. What is needed is a root and branch review possibility of introducing the PPS number as a form of identification.
"With regard to postal votes we were given two days to sort them out which was impossible," he said.
Cllr Pádraig O'Dochartaigh said that a lot of 'common people' had been taken off the register.
"I know of a number of long standing residents who were taken off the register for no apparent reason. I know they (Council) have to renew the register from time to time but they should be extra careful when they're doing that," he said.
Cllr Terence Slowey said that the system was inherently flawed and was in chaos.
"The staff are doing their utmost but the system is in a mess. This is not rocket science. What's wrong with using the PPS numbers," he asked.
Cllr David Alcorn told the story of a husband and wife who were told to vote in different booths - one in Mullaghadubh and the other in Belcruit. "It makes no sense," he said.
Similar stories were told of people in Council estates in Stranorlar and Letterkenny being taken off the register.
In reply, Mr Michael McLoone, County Manager, said they would undertake a comprehensive review of the system - taking into account the members views - before submitting a letter to the Minister.
Mayor Bonner urged the council to act quickly while the problems associated with the elections were still fresh in people's minds.
