Voting for the next president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) began last week, with the process to continue throughout the month ahead of the election count on Tuesday, December 12.
Laois man Francie Gorman is in a two-horse race with Martin Stapleton from Oola in Limerick.
Gorman, a former Laois IFA chairman and current president of the South Leinster region, has been busy on the campaign trail for the past couple of months, maintaining a high profile at various farm events around the country and taking part in IFA-organised hustings and debates.
In all there are 940 IFA branches across the country, and over 72,000 members. Eligible members can cast their vote at their local AGM and have received their voting packs in the post in recent weeks.
For the first time, members are also abled to cast a postal vote. Members are also voting for a deputy president where the two candidates are Aileen Doyle from Wexford and Pat Murphy from Galway.
The voting details for the 20 Laois branches are listed below.
Abbeyleix
Monday, November 27 – Abbeyleix Manor Hotel at 8pm
Ballinakill
Monday, November 27 – Old School Community Hall at 8pm
Borris-in-Ossory
Monday, November 27 – O’Brien’s Hall, Borris-in-Ossory, at 8pm
Camross
Monday, November 27 – Community Hall at 8pm
Clonaghadoo
Monday, November 27 – St Brigid’s Hall, Clonaghadoo, at 8pm
Clonaslee
Tuesday, November 28 – Clonaslee Community Centre at 8pm
Clough
Monday, November 27 – Clough Hall at 8pm
Durrow
Monday, November 27 – Castle Arms at 8pm
The Heath
Monday, November 27 – Old Parish Hall at 8pm
Luggacurren
Monday, November 27 – Pedigree Corner at 8pm
Mountmellick
Tuesday, November 28 – Macra Hall at 8pm
Mountrath
Tuesday, November 28 – Bloom HQ at 8pm
Portarlington
Tuesday, November 28 – Garryhinch Golf Club at 8pm
Portlaoise
Tuesday, November 28 – Maldron Hotel at 8pm
Rathdowney
Tuesday, November 28 – Marion Centre at 8pm
Ratheniska
Tuesday, November 28 – Ratheniska Hall at 8pm
Spink
Tuesday, November 28 – Knock Hall at 8pm
Stradbally
Tuesday, November 28 – Ramsbottom’s Lounge at 8pm
Timahoe
Tuesday, November 28 – St Brigid’s Hall at 8pm
Vicarstown
Tuesday, November 28 – Old School at 8pm
SEE ALSO – LoveLaois Podcast: Francie Gorman on his bid to become the next IFA president
