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| Ireland same-sex referendum: Vote counting begins | Ireland same-sex referendum: Vote counting begins |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Vote counting has begun after a historic referendum in the Republic of Ireland on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. | Vote counting has begun after a historic referendum in the Republic of Ireland on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. |
| More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. | More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. |
| Polling stations closed at 22:00 BST on Friday and counting started at 09:00 BST on Saturday morning. | Polling stations closed at 22:00 BST on Friday and counting started at 09:00 BST on Saturday morning. |
| An "unusually high" turnout was reported on Friday. | An "unusually high" turnout was reported on Friday. |
| If the change is approved, Ireland would become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. | If the change is approved, Ireland would become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. |
| Irish state broadcaster RTÉ said the turnout in most areas was well ahead of what it had been in recent referendums. | Irish state broadcaster RTÉ said the turnout in most areas was well ahead of what it had been in recent referendums. |
| Dublin, Limerick and Waterford passed the 60% electorate turnout mark, while in Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry and Galway it was above 50%. | Dublin, Limerick and Waterford passed the 60% electorate turnout mark, while in Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry and Galway it was above 50%. |
| The upper courtyard of Dublin Castle is open to 2,000 people for people to view the declarations on a large screen. | |
| A result is expected by mid to late afternoon on Saturday. | A result is expected by mid to late afternoon on Saturday. |
| Prior to Friday, votes had already been cast in some islands as well as hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Irish citizens who are registered were allowed to vote, but there was no postal voting. Many people returned to Ireland to cast their votes. | |
| They were asked whether they agreed with the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex." | |
| The referendum was being held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland. | The referendum was being held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland. |
| In 2010, the Irish government enacted civil partnership legislation, which provided legal recognition for gay couples. | In 2010, the Irish government enacted civil partnership legislation, which provided legal recognition for gay couples. |
| But there are some important differences between civil partnership and marriage, the critical one being that marriage is protected in the constitution while civil partnership is not. | But there are some important differences between civil partnership and marriage, the critical one being that marriage is protected in the constitution while civil partnership is not. |
| Presidential candidates | Presidential candidates |
| A constitutional convention established by the Irish government in 2013 considered the specifics of a proposal on extending marriage rights, as well as discussing other changes to the constitution. | A constitutional convention established by the Irish government in 2013 considered the specifics of a proposal on extending marriage rights, as well as discussing other changes to the constitution. |
| It voted in favour of holding a referendum on same-sex marriage and the date was announced by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny earlier this year. | It voted in favour of holding a referendum on same-sex marriage and the date was announced by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny earlier this year. |
| A separate referendum, on whether the eligibility age of presidential candidates should be lowered from 35 to 21, was being held at the same time, along with a parliamentary by-election in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. | A separate referendum, on whether the eligibility age of presidential candidates should be lowered from 35 to 21, was being held at the same time, along with a parliamentary by-election in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. |
| Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 countries worldwide. | Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 countries worldwide. |