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Irish presidential election: Veteran Higgins ahead | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Early reports from count centres have put veteran politician Michael D Higgins well in front in the Irish presidential election. | |
Figures from tally teams after about two hours of counting put Mr Higgins on about 40%, with independent Sean Gallagher close to 30%. | |
Counting of the votes began 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 began at 09:00 BST on Friday and the winner is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon. | Counting began at 09:00 BST on Friday and the winner is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon. |
The first national count will be announced once results from all 43 constituencies are in, which is expected to be early on Friday evening. | The first national count will be announced once results from all 43 constituencies are in, which is expected to be early on Friday evening. |
The presidential returning officer will have to decide whether to continue into the early hours to get a final result or to adjourn until Saturday morning. | The presidential returning officer will have to decide whether to continue into the early hours to get a final result or to adjourn until Saturday morning. |
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. |