POLITICAL LEADERS yesterday urged the 3.2 million eligible voters to participate in the democratic process as they themselves cast their ballots in their home constituencies.
President Mary McAleese and the leaders of the five biggest political parties cast their votes yesterday morning amid indications that the turnout may surpass the 67 per cent total for the 2007 election.
Mrs McAleese and her husband, Dr Martin McAleese, voted at St Mary’s hospital in the Phoenix Park.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his wife, Mary, voted at Scoil Cholmain Naofa at Mucklagh, Co Offaly. Mr Cowen was also accompanied by his eldest daughter Sinéad, who was voting in an election for the first time.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny voted at St Patrick’s national school in Chapel Street in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
He was accompanied by his wife, Fionnuala, and daughter Aoibhinn (18), who is also a first-time voter. “The family that stays together votes together,” he quipped to watching reporters. I hope that as many people as possible, all over the country, go and cast their vote today,” he added.
Yesterday Mr Kenny was voting in his 11th general election as a Fine Gael candidate.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and his wife Mary cast their ballots at St Joseph’s boys national school in Ballinlough in his Cork South Central constituency,
“Every vote counts, and I would urge people to come out and vote,” he said. He accepted Fianna Fáil was facing a huge challenge.
“In every constituency this will be a very competitive election; every vote will count and no more so than in Cork South Central,” said Mr Martin.
He said he was heartened by the response that he had received during a canvass of Cork South Central on Thursday. However, he did observe that Fianna Fáil faced a challenge in trying to woo back party supporters who were tempted to vote for other candidates. Mr Martin said it was difficult to predict the turnout, but it was certainly an election which had generated great interest among many people.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore voted at Scoil Mhuire in Rathsallagh, Shankill, in his Dún Laoghaire constituency with his daughter Gráinne.
Green Party leader John Gormley voted with his wife, Penny Stuart, at St Patrick’s school in Ringsend, Dublin.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams cast his vote at Doolargy national school in Co Louth.
ELECTION BY THE NUMBERS
* Counting of the votes begins today at 9am.
* First results are expected in the early afternoon.
* First indication of result in RTÉ exit poll at 8am
* Tipperary North, Tipperary South and Kildare South have the fewest candidates at eight, while Wicklow has the highest with 24 candidates.
* Counting for the 43 constituencies will take place at 36 centres across the State.
* A record 566 candidates are contesting the 165 seats compared to 466 in 2007. Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk is automatically returned.
* Turnout is expected to be higher than the last general election when 67.35 per cent turned out.