The Irish Field learned that, due to a number of so-called spoiled votes, the election which saw Eamon Rice and John Curran run for the position of chairman of SJI Ulster Region has been declared `null and void’.

It was suggested that an EGM vote be called, possibly via a postal vote in the new year. However, only members that attended the meeting on the night in question will be eligible to vote.

Sources say that some members were left very disgruntled as they sat for hours while the outgoing committee decided what to do with the so-called spoiled votes.

One SJI member said: “It was a difficult evening for anyone attending. One minute a second vote was required,then it wasn’t”.

The votes were said to be spoiled because some members ticked the box for their choice of candidate rather than mark the ballot with an X. Based on those who marked with an X, both candidates tied.

There was further controversy when a second vote was challenged as it was claimed that chairman Ray Buchanan was not eligible to vote, coupled with the fact that some people who voted first time had since left the meeting in frustration.

As a result, no candidate was elected second time around. With the election taking up hours of the meeting’s time, no other business was discussed

Members of the legal profession who were present at the meeting voiced the opinion that once a box was ticked or marked, it was a valid vote as it indicated the voter’s choice.

On the floor, both candidates agreed to accept all votes either marked or ticked on the ballot papers, but after individual meetings with the outgoing committee, one candidate refused to accept this decision.

John Curran publicly requested the right to challenge the procedure on the night.

Despite the chair election controversy, other members were elected on the night - Paul Boyle was successfully elected Ulster Region vice chair. Ciara Mulholland takes the seat as new Ulster Region treasurer. Catherine Chambers retains her seat as Ulster Region secretary, while Ray Buchanan retains his seat as Ulster Region president.

Ray Buchanan, Eamon Rice and John Curran were all contacted by this newspaper but had no comment to make.