POLITICAL leaders yesterday urged the Republic's 2.7 million plus eligible voters to turn out in large numbers in today's election. Polling stations in the 41 constituencies are open for two hours longer than in previous years, opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 10p.m.
Returning officers will open the ballot boxes tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. to allow the count to begin at all 35 centres. The earliest predictions are likely to come on stream by 11 a.m., with first count results available by mid afternoon in many constituencies.
The overall result is expected by midnight tomorrow, although, given the prediction of tightly fought battles for final seats, some recounts are likely.
The electorate has increased by 150,462 - 6 per cent - since the 1922 general election. On that occasion, the turnout was 68.5 per cent and political leaders yesterday urged voters to come out in large numbers today.
In an eve of poll message, the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, issued a last appeal to voters to support the Rainbow Coalition on the grounds of stability and policies. He again focused on the Progressive Democrats as the Achilles' heel of the alternative coalition, emphasising their proposal to shed 25,000 public service jobs. The Progressive Democrats would be driving a coalition formed between themselves and Fianna Fail, he said.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats were last night predicting they will form the next government - albeit by a narrow majority. Boosted by the latest polls, which show a 9 point lead over the Rainbow Coalition, the two alternative government parties claimed they were within reach of 84 seats, a marginal majority which would allow them form a government in the 28th Dail.
Asking voters to support his party first and continue their preferences to the Progressive Democrats, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, appealed to party workers to "do everything in their power" to bring out their full support.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, called on the electorate to vote for the Labour Party and continue their preferences to the other Government parties.
A vote for the Rainbow parties was a vote for "fairness, tolerance and an inclusive society", he said. "The current economic stability and growth will undoubtedly continue if the present Government is reelected", Mr Spring added.
The Progressive Democrats leader, Ms Mary Harney, said she was "looking forward to becoming the first woman to lead an Irish political party into government". She called for a "decisive result".
In his message to the electorate, the Democratic Left leader, Mr De Rossa, urged voters to make up their minds on the basis of the record in office of the two alternative governments.
Michael Foley, Media Correspondent adds:
It might have been a dull election, but that did not stop 761,000 viewers from tuning in for the debate between the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern on Wednesday night.
The Prime Time special had a rating of 23, which compared to last week's highest rated programme, Coronation Street, which earned 19. Each point in the ratings system is worth 33,112 viewers.
The debate between the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and the PD leader, Ms Harney, on Monday also attracted a high audience, with 600,000 viewers. In comparison, Prime Time during the election had audiences of between 250,000 and 400,000.
The high viewing figure is surprising as audience figures traditionally fall in June, July and August.