Most constituencies are reporting a steady flow of voters at polling booths around the State in the general election despite heavy rain. Returning Officers are generally predicting a similar, or slightly higher turnout compared to the 65.9 per cent achieved in the last General Election 1997.
After a brisk start to voting this morning, most polling stations across the State showed a sharp decline in traffic but are now experiencing an evening rush.
Polling stations opened at 7.30 a.m. and will remain open until 10.30 p.m., the longest polling period in any general election. The heavy thundery rain that greeted most voters this morning cleared somewhat through the day but rain has fallen steadily and is likely to continue through this evening.
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The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, casts his vote in Drumcondra, Dublin, this morning
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By early evening the turnout was around the 25 per cent mark nationwide, with Kerry North showing the highest turnout at around 40 per cent.
The returning officer in the two Galway constituencies is predicting a turnout in excess of 60 per cent in the county. He estimated the turnout at around 6 p.m. to be 25 per cent.
In Wexford, the turnout at 6 p.m. was 32.4 per cent while Clare was showing a similar figure for the same time.
Voting in the northern counties appeared lower this evening with the Donegal constituencies showing around 30 per cent. However, Sligo/Leitrim which could is expected to see an independent returned at the expense of either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail polled well throughout the day.
Voter turnout across the Dublin constituencies has been higher than the national average with some constituencies showing over 40 per cent by early evening. The returning officer for Cork county said the poll had been "extremely good" through the early part of the day.
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Labour Party leader
Mr Ruairí Quinn voting this morning |
Estimates for voting in Limerick suggested the turnout was below the national average during the day.
Carlow/Kilkenny, expected to be one of the most closely-fought constituencies, was showing at around 40 per cent by early evening with the returning expecting a turnout of close to 70 per cent - above the national average at the last election in 1997.
The turnout for the last election was 65.9 per cent with many returning officers predicting a similar or slightly higher figure this time.
All the main party leaders have cast their votes and the President, Mrs Mary McAleese, voted in the Phoenix Park this morning.
Political leaders have called for a high voter turnout in today’s vote, in which Fianna Fáil hopes to achieve its first overall majority since that achieved under Mr Jack Lynch’s leadership in 1977.
Electronic voting is taking place for the first time in three constituencies - Meath, Dublin North and Dublin West. Some early "teething problems" caused minor disruption to voting in some booths. The results from these constituencies are expected early tomorrow morning, giving the earliest ever indication of voting trends.
Counting of votes in the remaining 39 constituencies will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow at count centres throughout the State.
A total of 2,952,400 people are eligible to vote today. The constituency with the greatest number of voters is Meath (107,894) and the smallest Dublin North-West (47,394).
The High Court yesterday ruled outgoing TDs must include the value of free Oireachtas services in their election spending limit.
It is thought that the value of using Dáil secretaries, offices, free post and telephones could amount to €5,000 and push many candidates above the statutory limit. This could leave some successful candidates open to legal action by beaten opponents.