Connolly, Humphreys Await Count as Polls Close | JQJO

Polling has closed in Ireland’s presidential election, with independent Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys awaiting early indications on Saturday. Counting starts at 09:00 local time, with an official result expected at Dublin Castle that evening. Early, unofficial signs suggest turnout may struggle to reach the just-under-40% record low set in 2018. The race uses PR-STV. About 3.6 million citizens were eligible to vote at roughly 5,500 polling stations on Friday, when outgoing President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and both candidates cast their ballots. Ex-candidate Jim Gavin remains on ballots despite withdrawing.