Live Updates: Presidential Election Vote Counting Begins Amid Low Voter Turnout
Counting for the presidential election commenced at 9 AM today, with boxes opened nationwide as officials began tallying votes. The ballot features independent candidate Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, and Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin.
Election Results Update
Early tallies indicate that Connolly is likely to secure a substantial victory, holding a lead of over two-to-one against Humphreys in several constituencies. Major areas such as Dublin, Kildare, Galway, Meath, Wexford, and Clare report strong support for Connolly.
High Volume of Spoiled Votes
Despite Connolly’s lead, the election is witnessing a significant number of spoiled votes. Many of these ballots feature unconventional choices and messages, including votes for individuals like Maria Steen and Enoch Burke, as well as lighthearted options like Brad Pitt and Dustin the Turkey.
- Numerous spoiled votes display anti-migrant sentiments.
- Reports from early boxes indicate that spoiled ballots may surpass the legitimate count for Heather Humphreys.
- Three miraculous medals were also found in a box in Limerick, a quirky election day phenomenon.
As of now, it remains uncertain how the large volume of spoiled votes will affect the final results, which are not expected until this evening. The situation around voter turnout appears low, and the early counts help set the stage for what could be a significant electoral outcome.
