Urgent Update: Catherine Connolly Leads in Irish Presidential Vote

UPDATE: Counting is underway in the Irish Presidential Election, with early reports indicating Catherine Connolly is leading against Heather Humphreys to replace Michael D Higgins as the next President. With an overwhelming result expected, Connolly’s supporters are optimistic about her chances of victory.

As ballot boxes are opened across the country, former Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys announced on RTE radio from the RDS in Dublin that Connolly is “comfortably” ahead in most areas. He suggested that we could be calling her “President Connolly” by lunchtime.

The counting process is projected to last several hours, but if early results hold, the official announcement could come as soon as this afternoon. While there is still a chance for surprises, the early tallies show Connolly leading significantly, even after competitor Jim Gavin withdrew from the race on October 5.

However, the election is also facing challenges with a notable number of spoilt votes reported, particularly in Dublin. Some voters expressed their dissent by writing the hashtag #spoilthevote on their ballots, while others invalidated their votes for candidates like Maria Steen who did not make the ballot. Messages like “shame on FG/FF” have also been noted, reflecting anti-government sentiments among some voters.

Despite the concern over spoilt votes, which will not be counted, experts believe they are unlikely to affect Connolly’s lead significantly. The counting of ballots is ongoing, and while the excitement builds, officials are preparing for a result that could solidify Connolly’s position as the next President of Ireland.

Stay tuned for updates as the final counts are tallied and the official results are confirmed. This is a developing story that could change the political landscape in Ireland.