Most constituencies reported 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 experienced an evening rush.
Polling stations opened at 7.30 a.m. and remained open until 10.30 p.m., the longest polling period in any general election. Heavy thundery rain greeted most voters throughout the day.
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The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, casts his vote in Drumcondra, Dublin.
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Early reports indicated 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 predicted a turnout in excess of 60 per cent in the county. He estimated the turnout at 6 p.m. yesterday to be 25 per cent.
In Wexford, the turnout at the same time was 32.4 per cent while Clare was showing a similar figure for the same time.
Voting in the northern counties appeared lower with the Donegal constituencies showing around 30 per cent. However, Sligo/Leitrim is expected to see an independent returned at the expense of either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail.
Voter turnout across the Dublin constituencies was higher than the national average with some constituencies showing over 40 per cent early yesterday 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 yesterday morning |
Estimates for voting in Limerick suggested the turnout was below the national average.
Carlow/Kilkenny, expected to be one of the most closely-fought constituencies, was showing at around 40 per cent with the returning officer 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.
Political leaders had called for a high voter turnout in the election, in which Fianna Fáil hopes to achieve its first overall majority since that achieved under Mr Jack Lynch’s leadership in 1977.
Counting is taking place tonight in three constituencies - Meath, Dublin North and Dublin West where electronic voting was used for the first time. Some early "teething problems" caused minor disruption to voting in some booths. The results from these constituencies are expected early this morning, giving the earliest ever indication of voting trends.
Counting of votes in the remaining 39 constituencies will begin at 9 a.m. today at count centres throughout the State.
A total of 2,952,400 people were eligible. The constituency with the greatest number of voters is Meath (107,894) and the smallest Dublin North-West (47,394).