By D. Collins, Journalist – The Irish Channel
As Ireland prepares for its next presidential election, the political establishment would have us believe that democracy is alive and well. But beneath the surface gloss of televised debates and campaign slogans lies a darker truth the Irish electorate has been boxed in, silenced, and stripped of meaningful choice
This election is not a celebration of democracy. It is a performance a carefully stage-managed production by the political class to ensure that only their chosen few remain at the table. The presidency, once a symbol of national unity, has now become a pawn in a tired game of political musical chairs.
And so, the people of Ireland the working families, the pensioners, the veterans, the students find themselves with no genuine option left but to take back control in the only way possible: by spoiling their vote.
The Illusion of Choice
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael once rivals, now partners in power have merged into what can only be described as one party with two faces. Their policies, their language, their loyalty to the European establishment, and even their disdain for dissenting voices are near identical. The so-called “opposition” remains more concerned with political optics than with representing real people.
Independent or community-backed candidates who might challenge this cosy cartel are quietly filtered out long before the public gets a say. County councils, which hold the power to nominate candidates, have become gatekeepers for party approval. The common man, the teacher, the nurse, the small business owner all are told, politely but firmly, that the presidency is not for them.
A Democracy of Whips and Wallets
The presidency should belong to the people. Instead, it belongs to the party whips. Behind closed doors, Fianna Fáil now instructs its members to give Jim “I’m Not Running” Gavin their Number 1, and Heather Humphreys their Number 2 a strategic move designed not to empower the people, but to protect the party purse.
Let’s be blunt: under Irish law, if a candidate receives 12.5% of the vote, their campaign qualifies for €250,000 in reimbursement. That’s taxpayers’ money yours and mine handed back to the same parties who have long forgotten who they serve.
By refusing to play along and spoiling your ballot, you send a message louder than any campaign rally: Not in our name.
Why Spoiling Your Vote Matters
Some argue that spoiling a vote is a waste. But in this election, it is the only form of protest left that cannot be spun, censored, or ignored. A spoiled vote is a clear, recorded statement one that says:
You reject the false choice between blue and green ties.
You refuse to endorse a process that silences the independent voice.
You demand integrity, accountability, and real reform.
Each spoiled ballot chips away at the illusion of consensus. Each one undermines the self-congratulatory narrative of a political class that believes Ireland’s democracy is theirs to manage, not ours to own.
“Not in Our Name” A Cultural Wake-Up Call
Ireland’s political elite has mistaken silence for consent. They believe that the Irish people can be pushed just far enough without pushing back. But history shows that when the Irish spirit is cornered, it fights back not with violence, but with quiet, defiant dignity.
Spoiling your vote is that defiance. It’s the moment when you take the pencil offered to you by the State and, instead of writing the name of a hand-picked insider, you write your own verdict:
“None of the Above.”
This is not apathy it’s awakening. It’s a declaration that we will no longer be led by those who lie, those whose hands are greased, or those who confuse loyalty with obedience.
A Message They Can’t Ignore
Politicians may dismiss protests. They may censor dissenting voices. But what they cannot ignore is a spoiled ballot a number recorded and reported by the very system they control.
If even a fraction of the electorate spoils their vote, it will send shockwaves through Leinster House. It will expose the emptiness of their “mandate” and hit where it hurts most in the pocket. The political class understands one language above all others: money.
When that €250,000 reimbursement slips from their grasp, perhaps then they’ll remember who really pays the bills the Irish people.
The Final Word
As a journalist and a citizen, I do not say this lightly: the Irish presidency has been hijacked by a small circle of political insiders who fear the voice of the ordinary voter. They have left us without a real choice, without a real debate, and without real democracy.
So, in this election, let your silence be heard. Go to your polling station. Take your ballot. And make your stand.
Write it clearly, proudly, and with conviction:
None of the Above – Not in Our Name.