Model of electoral management

Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR OSCE), Ireland Early Parliamentary Elections 29 November 2024: ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report, accessed 3 February 2025

"The system of election administration is decentralized. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage co-ordinates electoral operations, provides legislative advice, and issues policy guidelines, which will be published online for the first time. A total of 17 returning officers (ROs) have the primary responsibility for the conduct of elections in their respective areas. All ODIHR NAM interlocutors expressed full confidence in the ability of the election administration to manage the election process, professionally and impartially."

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government is responsible for the various legislative codes dealing with the registration of electors and the conduct of elections and referendums. This involves an ongoing review of electoral law, a review of constituencies and local electoral areas, the provision of information and advice to registration authorities, returning officers, and the general public, and the publication of election results.