Cork candidates in last-minute blitz

Corkonians go to the polls today in what is expected to be one of the tightest general elections in years.

Today was D-day for 53 candidates across the five Cork constituencies. With good weather and a nail-biting battle capturing the public’s imagination, turnout is expected to be high.

Nationwide, more than three million people are entitled to vote in 43 constituencies, and polls remain open until 10.30pm tonight.

In Cork, there are 210,016 people entitled to vote in the three county constituencies, and 157,867 between the two city constituencies.

Results of a tracking poll released by the Sunday Business Post today showed the final result will come right down to the wire — Fianna Fáil and the PDs are on 41% while the combined total for Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens are 43%.

With the final result too close to call in most constituencies, Cork candidates and their teams were pulling out all the stops last night and this morning. Hundreds of thousands of letters and leaflets with last-minute appeals for votes were distributed overnight, while candidates also hit the streets this morning for one last time.

Party supporters have also been receiving personalised letters and text messages as candidates endeavour to pull ahead of their running mates.

While Fine Gael in Cork South Central is poised to retake a seat from Fianna Fáil, the real battle is between its two candidates Deirdre Clune and Jerry Buttimer. And the eyes of the nation will be on Cork North West — if Fine Gael pull off the coup of taking two seats here, then the party will almost definitely be on its way to Government.

In Cork East, Fine Gael has been endeavouring to rebalance its vote to boost Senator Paul Bradford’s chance of taking a Labour seat.

If today is D-day, then tomorrow is C-day — count day. Counting will begin at 9am at four centres — City Hall for Cork North Central and South Central, Mallow for Cork East, Macroom for Cork North West and Clonakilty for Cork South West.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.