Voters take to the polls in Irish general election
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Voters will elect 174 TDs - the Irish equivalent of MPs - across 43 constituencies. File pic: Niall Carson/PA
Voters in Ireland are heading to the polls for the country’s general election, which began on Friday morning and will close at 10:00 PM local time. The election will determine who will serve as Teachtaí Dála (TDs) in the 34th Dáil, the lower house of Ireland’s parliament. This election comes after a three-week campaign and will see voters choose representatives from a range of political parties and independent candidates.
In total, 173 TDs will be elected across 43 constituencies in the Republic of Ireland. A majority in the new Dáil will require 88 TDs, while the 174th seat is reserved for the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker). The number of TDs has increased since the last election in 2020, when only 160 seats were up for grabs. Voter turnout is expected to be high, with over 3.4 million people registered to vote.
To vote, individuals must be over 18, an Irish or British citizen, and a resident of Ireland. They must also be on the Irish Electoral Register, which ensures that their name appears in the official list of eligible voters.
The candidates vying for seats in the new Dáil come from a mix of political backgrounds. The three main parties in the race are Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have governed as coalition partners in the outgoing Dáil, while Sinn Féin has been the leading opposition party. In addition to these prominent parties, voters will also see a range of smaller parties and independent candidates on the ballot.
After the polls close, vote counting will begin on Saturday morning. The process is expected to take several days, with results likely trickling in over the weekend and into the following week. The counting process will be closely watched, as it will reveal which parties and candidates have garnered the support needed to form a new government.
The first sitting of the 34th Dáil is scheduled for December 18, where the newly elected TDs will gather to formally begin their work. The next step in the formation of a government will be the election of a new Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) by the Dáil. This vote will take place once the final results of the election are confirmed.
This election is particularly significant given the current political landscape in Ireland, with many voters eager to see how the new makeup of the Dáil will shape the future direction of the country. After years of coalition government, the results of the general election could signal a shift in political power and influence in Ireland’s legislative process. How the parties navigate coalition talks and work together to form a government will be a key focus in the weeks ahead.
As Irish voters cast their ballots today, the country stands at a political crossroads. The next few weeks of vote counting, negotiations, and eventual government formation will determine the trajectory of Irish politics in the years to come.
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