Final recommendations on NI electoral boundary published

The final proposal to redraw electoral boundaries in Northern Ireland has been published.

Changes will reduce the number of constituencies from 18 to 17, part of a wider reform to reduce MPs from 650 to 600.

Proposals to split a town into three voting zones have been dropped as the final revised Westminster boundaries for Northern Ireland were published.

Largely nationalist Dungiven in Co Londonderry was to be divided between three constituencies but the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland recommended that the ward be transferred in its entirety from Mid Ulster to Sperrin constituency.

Almost 10,000 petition signatures and letters were received by the organisation responsible for drawing up a new Northern Ireland constituencies map.

Final parliamentary boundaries were approved and published by the Government on Monday, largely as anticipated with only two changes, to Dungiven and the predominantly rural area of Mallusk on the outskirts of north Belfast.

On Dungiven, the Commission said: "We accept that this is an arguable point and acknowledge the weight of public support for it.''

The old West Tyrone constituency will be renamed Sperrin.

The Commission added: "A compromise solution is possible which would not require any wards to be split, namely to transfer Dungiven ward from Mid Ulster to Sperrin.''

Belfast retains its four constituencies.

The Commission said: Many argued that Mallusk ward should remain in South Antrim rather than being transferred to Belfast North.

The main factors cited were to keep Mallusk within its existing constituency and to respect its predominantly rural character.

We accept this argument and accordingly recommend that Mallusk should remain within the constituency of South Antrim.''

The Boundary Commission had to design new constituencies with populations as similarly-sized as possible.

Holywood in Co Down prompted objections to its transfer into the East Belfast seat as it could cut ties within the town itself, but the Commission said other options would raise significant new issues with neighbouring constituencies and rejected a change.

The Commission also ruled out a rethink in Mid Down, which had been suggested following concerns over local ties.

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said that the proposed electoral office closures are yet another attack on democracy.

The Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA said:

“Last week we had the British Secretary of State proposing legislation to prevent an election and deny people in the north their right to have their say and now the democratic entitlements of citizens is under threat with these closures.

“Electoral offices not only play a key role in ensuring people can exercise their democratic rights, they are also an employer and as such they need to ensure that the rights of workers are protected.

“The planned closure of electoral offices should be halted until such times as a viable plan is in place to replace them.

“The Electoral Office must consult with workers and I would encourage them to keep staff informed of all developments.

“Sinn Féin will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Electoral Office and with NIPSA to discuss this matter.”

To see the full proposal click here.