Count begins to elect Irish president
An exit poll has suggested the Republic of Ireland has voted to re-elect Michael D Higgins as president and scrap the country's laws on blasphemy. The poll showed 71% of voters surveyed indicated they voted yes to removing the reference to blasphemy from the Irish Constitution. It also suggested Higgins received 58% of first preference votes.
Counting began at 09:00 local time and the result, expected later on Saturday, will be announced at Dublin Castle. Higgins is the first incumbent in 50 years to face a challenge in his bid for a second term. The exit poll by Irish Broadcaster RTÉ, conducted by Red C, also said about 2% of people who voted in the presidential ballot said they had not voted in the blasphemy referendum.
Turnout was reported to be low in many areas of the country. The figures suggest it could be comparable to the last Presidential Election in 2011. More than 3.2m people are eligible to cast their ballots in the election and referendum. Voters received two ballot papers at polling stations.
They were given a white ballot paper for the presidential election and a green ballot paper for the referendum on blasphemy.
Many were unaware there was such an offence until a member of the public referred controversial remarks made by the actor and writer Stephen Fry on an RTÉ program to An Garda Siochana (Irish police). Fry spoke about what he regarded as God's cruelty during the program.
