Mairia Cahill won't stand in upcoming council elections because of legislation around publishing home addresses

The SDLP member Mairia Cahill has been told that she cannot stand in the upcoming local government elections. This is because she is unwilling to make public her home address, due to a restraining order protecting her from an individual. Mairia has been the victim of harassment and intimidation in the past. Legislation has not been updated for local elections which would allow the option of keeping a home address private in these circumstances. The head of the Electoral Office has written to the NIO and Election Commission "highlighting this as an issue they may wish to consider for legislative change". She spoke to Stephen this morning.