President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes in the 2025 presidential election at St Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
After all the celebrity wannabes, in-party candidate rows, shock revelations and a withdrawal, viral videos, alleged smears and election “shambles” claims, the presidential election is finally over – bar the counting.
As ballot boxes are opened, what should voters, pundits and election watchers look out for?
Counting
It could be all over as early as 9.30am “if the outcome is as decisive as the polls predict”, according to one returning officer.
Opinion polls over the past nine days gave Independent candidate Catherine Connolly a commanding lead over her Fine Gael rival Heather Humphreys. The Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll on October 16th gave Connolly an 18-point lead. The Business Post/Red C poll on Wednesday had the Galway politician 19 points ahead, while the Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks poll on Thursday had her 15 points ahead.
If there is cross-party co-operation and the
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