Voting underway in what is expected to be a landslide victory for President Higgins

Fri, 26 Oct, 2018 - 11:19

Voters are going to the polls in Ireland today to elect the country's next president.

Polling stations across the country remain open until 10pm to give people the opportunity to cast their ballot.

Liadh Ní Riada posts her vote at Ballyvourney National School this morning with her husband, Nicky Forde. Picture: John Delea.

More than 3.2 million people are entitled to vote in 40 constituencies.

The constituency with the smallest electorate is Dublin Central with 40,000 voters.

Six candidates are vying for the highest office in the state.

They are incumbent President Michael D Higgins, Senator Joan Freeman, Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada, and three businessmen - Sean Gallagher, Gavin Duffy and Peter Casey.

Martin and Yvonne Neville, from Ballinlough, casting their votes with daughter, Niamh at St. Anthony's Boys National School. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The electorate will also be asked on the ballot paper whether they want to remove the offence of blasphemy from the Irish constitution.

Most islanders have already had their say as voting got under way on 12 islands off the coast of counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway on Thursday, a day ahead of the rest of the country.