Polls could match General Election turnout
Turnout in the local and European elections could be as high as the general election two years ago, it emerged tonight.
Officials across the country reported brisk early voting with highs of 25% in Dundrum and 34% in Westport by mid-afternoon.
The 2007 general election had a turnout of 67.3% – the highest for any election for 15 years.
Co Mayo registrar Fintan Murphy said area inspectors had visited a sample of the 247 polling stations were surprised at voter levels.
“The main urban areas of Ballina, Castlebar and Westport were recording 27-34% by 4.30pm,” he said.
“We would consider that high – probably as high as the last general election at the same stage,” he added.
Mayo Co Council also reported several calls to its helpline as many voters found they were not on their local registers.
In Dublin, the turnout in Rush and Lusk was only 5% by lunchtime but many commuters were expected to cause queues to cast their ballots at teatime.
Polling stations in the by-election areas of Dublin Central and Dublin South had above-average turnout levels due to increased voter engagement.
Meanwhile Fianna Fáil’s director of elections Noel Dempsey tonight sent an urgent email to party supporters to get out every last vote before 10pm.
“Together let’s work really hard to ensure that Fianna Fáil confounds the naysayers. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again,” he said.
“We’ll never lie down and be beaten. We have the fight in us. When it comes to it people know that when they vote for our candidates they are going to elect people who’ll fight for their constituents.
“I’m urging you to get everyone you know to join our final push and get all of our candidates elected.”
More than three registered voters are electing two TDs in Dublin Central and Dublin South, 12 MEPs and 1,627 councillors.
When the polls close, the ballot boxes will be sealed and taken to designated local counting centres.
Returning officers will open boxes at 9am on Saturday and begin sorting the votes.
Counting of the local election and by-election votes will begin immediately, while the European Parliament counting starts at 9am on Sunday.
A total of 44 candidates, including 11 outgoing MEPs, are competing for 12 European Parliament seats across the country.
Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell is expected to top the poll in Dublin as well as Mairead McGuinness in Ireland East.
The media spotlight will also be on the performance of Libertas chairman Declan Ganley in Ireland North West where Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins is expected to be re-elected.
Veteran vote-getter Brian Crowley, of Fianna Fáil, is expected to top the poll in Ireland South followed by former GAA president Sean Kelly for Fine Gael.
