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Irish presidential election: Veteran Higgins ahead Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins ahead
(about 4 hours later)
  
Early reports from count centres have put veteran politician Michael D Higgins well in front in the Irish presidential election. Unofficial tallies from count centres in the Irish presidential election have suggested veteran politician Michael D Higgins is well in front.
Figures from tally teams after about two hours of counting put Mr Higgins on about 40%, with independent Sean Gallagher close to 30%. It is thought Mr Higgins has received about 40% of the first preference vote.
Counting of the votes began on Friday morning. Sean Gallagher is on about 28%, while Martin McGuinness is thought to be on about 15%.
Turnout is reported to be about 50%, down from around 70% in the general election in February. 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.
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.
After a controversial campaign, with the polls swinging one way and then the other, the climax looks like it will be more straightforward than most commentators had predicted.
Faced with a record seven candidates, the tallies suggest that the electorate has plumped decisively for Labour's Michael D Higgins.
A poet and a scholar, the 71-year-old former government minister ran a solid campaign during which he was always among the bookies' favourites.
The result will be announced at Dublin Castle, the venue for the historic state banquet for the Queen in May.
It now looks just a matter of hours before Mr Higgins' coronation.
Candidates
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.
The Irish opposition leader Micheál Martin of Fianna Fail has already sent his congratulations to Mr Higgins.
"I have known Michael D Higgins for many years and he will make an excellent president and ambassador for Ireland," he said.
Fianna Fail chose not to enter a candidate following the party's heavy defeat in the general election.
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.