County Monaghan was divided into three local electoral areas (LEAs) to elect councillors for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

In addition, the town councils of Ballybay, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and Monaghan were abolished.

New LEAs were introduced in 2013 and came into effect on 1 January 2014.

[1] The election in Ballybay–Clones local electoral area was halted when Fine Gael Councillor Owen Bannigan died suddenly while out canvassing on polling day.

[2][3] The election for this area was cancelled and all the ballots cast were officially destroyed.