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Irish presidential election: count due to begin Irish presidential election: count due to begin
(about 2 hours later)
 
Counting of the votes in the Irish presidential election is due to begin later on Friday morning.Counting of the votes in the Irish presidential election is due to begin later on Friday morning.
Turnout is reported to be about 50%, down from around 70% in the general election in February.Turnout is reported to be about 50%, down from around 70% in the general election in February.
There are seven candidates in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who has been president since 1997.There are seven candidates in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who has been president since 1997.
The president, who serves as a ceremonial head of state, is elected for a seven-year term and can be re-elected only once.The president, who serves as a ceremonial head of state, is elected for a seven-year term and can be re-elected only once.
The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris.The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris.
Counting begins at 09:00 BST on Friday and the winner is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon.Counting begins at 09:00 BST on Friday and the winner is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon.
The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the candidates coming under pressure over their past careers.The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the candidates coming under pressure over their past careers.
The election arrives as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory.The election arrives as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory.