Possible Clues:

• *Anonymous voting method
• Voting method that preserves anonymity
• Private Second Class gets to give out - as a politician that wouldn't give you a vote of confidence!
• Opening 14 across for leading backbencher to give out -Taoiseach would have no confidence in that sort of vote
• Republican in terribly close battle for election
• It's designed to allow someone to leave mark without being seen in 26 across - it's similar to masquerade from old books
• Vote of confidence?
• It enables one to cross without being observed
• Voting method
• Type of vote Australia was first to implement (2 words)