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Irish general election: Voting is under way to elect new parliament Irish general election: Voting is under way to elect new parliament
(35 minutes later)
Voting is under way in the Republic of Ireland to elect 157 new members of parliament.Voting is under way in the Republic of Ireland to elect 157 new members of parliament.
The Irish parliament (Dáil) has reduced in size, meaning any new government needs the support of nearly 80 elected members (called Teachtaí Dála or TDs).The Irish parliament (Dáil) has reduced in size, meaning any new government needs the support of nearly 80 elected members (called Teachtaí Dála or TDs).
More than 3m people are eligible to vote, including Irish and UK citizens.More than 3m people are eligible to vote, including Irish and UK citizens.
Polling stations across 40 different constituencies opened at 07:00 local time (same as GMT) and will close at 22:00 on Friday.Polling stations across 40 different constituencies opened at 07:00 local time (same as GMT) and will close at 22:00 on Friday.
More than 2,000 voters living on Irish islands off the coast of counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway got the chance to cast their ballots on Thursday.More than 2,000 voters living on Irish islands off the coast of counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway got the chance to cast their ballots on Thursday.
The sealed ballot boxes were brought back to the mainland where they will be kept in police stations until counting begins on Saturday.
The outgoing government was a coalition between the largest political party, Fine Gael, and the Labour Party.The outgoing government was a coalition between the largest political party, Fine Gael, and the Labour Party.
Led by Prime Minister (Taioseach) Enda Kenny from Fine Gael, the coalition had been in power for almost five years, since March 2011.Led by Prime Minister (Taioseach) Enda Kenny from Fine Gael, the coalition had been in power for almost five years, since March 2011.
They are being challenged by 13 other parties, including the largest opposition party, Fianna Fáil, led by Micheál Martin, and Sinn Féin, led by Gerry Adams.They are being challenged by 13 other parties, including the largest opposition party, Fianna Fáil, led by Micheál Martin, and Sinn Féin, led by Gerry Adams.
There are also a number of independents among the 552 people standing for election.There are also a number of independents among the 552 people standing for election.
TDs will be elected according to the single transferable vote (STV) system, in which candidates have to reach a quota, before their surplus votes are distributed to other candidates.TDs will be elected according to the single transferable vote (STV) system, in which candidates have to reach a quota, before their surplus votes are distributed to other candidates.
There will be a total of 158 seats in the next parliament, but one of them has already been filled.There will be a total of 158 seats in the next parliament, but one of them has already been filled.
That is because, under Irish electoral law, the Speaker (Ceann Comhairle) is automatically re-elected unless they have announced their intention to retire.That is because, under Irish electoral law, the Speaker (Ceann Comhairle) is automatically re-elected unless they have announced their intention to retire.
The election count is expected to last over the weekend.The election count is expected to last over the weekend.