Reduced polling hours blamed for dismal by-election turnout

The Government faces criticism over its decision to reduce polling hours for the Meath East by-election after a dismal turnout by voters at count centres.

Turnout was as low as 30% in some count centres when the polls closed last night.

Estimates averaged 34.75% across the constituency by 9pm, when polls closed.

Voters as well as the election candidates earlier this week criticised the move to reduce polling times by two hours.

Snow yesterday deterred early morning voters, many on the way to work, from voting.

Centres also closed last night at 9pm as opposed to the usual time for elections of 10pm.

Their doors had opened at 8am, an hour later than usual.

Voting was slow by lunchtime, particularly in areas such as Ashbourne and Stamullen, in the south, where many residents commute to Dublin for work.

Candidates from a number of parties were also asked to remove posters which were too near to count centres.

A stronger turnout in the north in areas such as Kells (45%) and Slane (43%) when polls closed is likely to benefit the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil candidates, who have strong support there.

Transfers are crucial for candidates, particularly Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne, who asked Sinn Féin voters to give him their number two.

There will also be particular interest on whether Sinn Féin finish ahead of Labour.

There were claims yesterday that Labour launched a last-minute attack on their coalition partners with a leaflet drop to homes which insinuated nothing would change if voters backed a Fine Gael candidate.

Eleven candidates are competing for the seat once held by Fine Gael minister Shane McEntee, who took his own life at Christmas.

The low turnout could benefit his daughter, Helen McEntee, as she is expected to get strong support from voters loyal to her father.

Counting of votes begins at 9am this morning when ballot boxes from all areas will be opened in Ashbourne.

When polls closed last night, estimates of turnout varied in areas included Dunboyne (31%), Ashbourne (31%), Ratoath (31%), Duleek (30%), Slane (43%), Kells (45%), Stamullen (32%) and Dunshaughlin (35%).

A first count is expected by lunchtime today and a final count of votes could be declared by late afternoon.

However, initial tallies of where votes are going may point to a winner by mid-morning.

The low voting numbers in Meath East is one of the lowest ever in a by-election. There was a 27.9% turnout at the 1999 by-election in Dublin South Central. Turnout in the Meath East 2005 by-election, won by Shane McEntee, was 41%.