Electoral boundary shake-up for Tyrone constituencies

A MAJOR shake-up could be coming to Tyrone’s parliamentary constituencies as the boundary commission releases its proposals to redraw the electoral map.

While the number of constituencies across the North is set to remain at 18, locally a number of council wards are proposed to change hands.

Rules for the upcoming electoral boundaries in 2023 mean that each constituency should have electorate of between 69,724 and 77,062.

Currently, the West Tyrone constituency has an electorate of just over 66,000 – below the proposed threshold.

The commission proposes that the whole wards of Donaghmore and Pomeroy are transferred from Mid Ulster to West Tyrone, and the ward of Slievekirk, which is currently split between Foyle and West Tyrone, would be aligned within Foyle.

Mid Ulster has an existing electorate of 70,501 and the proposed changes would increase this to 73,833.

Under the plans, the wards of Killyman and Killymeal which are currently split between Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and South Tyrone will aligned within Mid Ulster, together with the following whole wards which have been transferred from Fermanagh and South Tyrone to Mid Ulster: Ballysaggart, Moygashel and Mullaghmore.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone would see its electorate slightly reduced under the review and would see the constituency allocated the ward of Loughgall, which is currently split between Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Newry and Armagh, while the ward of Blackwatertown would also be allocated.

The split wards of wards of Ballygawley and Castlecaulfield would also go to Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

The deputy chairman of the Boundary Commission, Mr Justice Michael Humphreys said, “The commission is keen to encourage everyone with an interest to share their views by engaging with the consultation process, whether it is to support the proposals, or to suggest alternatives which also take into account the requirements of the legislation.”

Written representations must be received by the commission by December 15, 2021 and can be submitted using the online portal, by email, or by post.

l For more information visit the boundary commission website.

By James Kelly

J.kelly@ulsterherald.com