Catherine Connolly has just been formally declared the next President of #Ireland. She will be inaugurated on 11 November.
But with 13% of all votes cast being invalid, there's clear unhappiness from the electorate. She, and the executive, will have to understand this and address it.
STATE OF THE CANDIDATES AT 19:00:
Just three constituencies away from an official declaration.
STATE OF THE CANDIDATES AT 18:00:
With seven constituencies left to declare, Catherine Connolly now has enough votes to be elected.
STATE OF THE CANDIDATES AT 17:00
We have nearly three-quarters of constituencies declared, and Catherine Connolly nearly has enough votes to officially cross the winning line.
But when 13% of ballots are spoiled, there's a clear message to politicians in Dublin to allow more candidates on the ballot paper.
STATE OF THE CANDIDATES AT 16:00:
Nearly half of constituencies have declared, and Catherine Connolly is on track to win comfortably on first preferences.
With 7 constituencies declared, Catherine Connolly is on track to win the Presidential election on first preferences.
Heather Humphreys has already conceded defeat.
Counting is well under way in #Ireland, and informal tallies are suggesting that the left-wing candidate Catherine Connolly will win comfortably on the first count.
The same tallies are suggesting a large number of spoiled ballots, and in some constituencies, that number may be higher than the votes received for Heather Humphreys.
First constituencies expected to declare this afternoon.
Joe C
Joe C