45% of those who spoiled their votes opposed all three presidential candidates – survey

Electoral Commission chief says 'there is no cause for complacency amongst those with a role in protecting and promoting trust in elections and democracy in Ireland'

The three candidates on the ballot in Ireland's 2025 presidential election: Catherine Connolly, who was elected in a landslide, Jim Gavin, and Heather Humphreys. File picture

Almost half of voters who spoiled their ballot in last year's presidential election did so as they did not like any of the three candidates, research has found.

The Electoral Commission found that 45% of those who spoiled their ballot did not like the three candidates, while 27% spoiled theirs as they believed the selection process had been unfair.