Critics, independent candidates for the presidency, voice their opposition to the Fine Gael's strategy to halt council nominations.

In the upcoming Irish presidential election, a controversy has arisen over allegations of undemocratic tactics being employed by two of the major political parties.

Fine Gael, which has selected former minister Heather Humphreys as its candidate, has come under fire for reportedly instructing its councillors to vote against the nomination of new candidates. The party's general secretary, John Carroll, reportedly delivered this message to its public representatives, stating that they cannot facilitate the nomination of any candidate other than the ratified Fine Gael candidate.

This move has been met with criticism from independent presidential hopefuls and other political parties. Gareth Sheridan, another presidential contender, has called on Fianna Fáil not to follow Fine Gael's example, arguing that such instructions set a dangerous precedent and make the nomination route more difficult.

Fianna Fáil, which has slightly more councillors than Fine Gael, is set to decide its presidential candidate during a meeting of its parliamentary party on Tuesday. Former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin and Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher are vying for the position.

However, the search results do not provide information about which independent candidates Fianna Fáil is trying to persuade to participate in the presidential election nomination. One prospective Independent candidate, former solicitor Nick Delehanty, has argued that Fine Gael's move to seek to block its councillors from facilitating new candidates entering the race is "undemocratic."

Delehanty contends that there are about 15 local authorities where Independent candidates could still be nominated should they be facilitated by Fianna Fáil councillors. He estimates that if Fianna Fáil sends out a diktat similar to Fine Gael's, the number of possible nominations goes down to zero.

Sheridan has expressed concern that party instructions to councillors might become a regular occurrence, questioning if the presidential candidates will only come from the members of Leinster House in the future. He believes that if Fine Gael is confident in its candidate, it should allow a fair competition and let the electorate decide.

A Fianna Fáil councillor and municipal district mayor has also called for Waterford City and County Council not to allow Conor McGregor to seek their backing in the upcoming presidential election.

As the presidential election approaches, the allegations of undemocratic tactics threaten to overshadow the campaign and raise questions about the integrity of the electoral process.

Critics, independent candidates for the presidency, voice their opposition to the Fine Gael's strategy to halt council nominations.