The Irish general election is officially underway, with polling stations open until 22:00 local time. Voters are casting their ballots to elect representatives who will serve as Teachtaí Dála (TDs) in the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas, Ireland’s parliament.

Expanded Representation in the 34th Dáil

‘This election will introduce an increase in the number of parliamentary seats. The Dáil that will be formed will comprise 174 TDs, up from 160 in 2020. Of these, voters will elect 173 TDs because one seat is reserved for the Ceann Comhairle or Speaker.’ To achieve a majority in the new Dáil, 88 TDs will be needed.

Eligibility and Constituencies

Over 3.4 million registered voters in Ireland can vote during this election. To vote, one must be above the age of 18, either an Irish or British citizen, living in Ireland, and on the electoral register in Ireland. Elected TDs will represent 43 constituencies in the republic.

Key actors in the elections

The election comprises candidates from the three main parties: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the two coalition partners in the outgoing government, and Sinn Féin, the leading opposition party in the previous Dáil. Besides these dominant parties, there are smaller political groups and a large number of independent candidates competing for seats in what will likely be a decisive election.

Counting the Votes and Timeline

It will be counting votes from Saturday morning onwards. It may go through the weekend and even into the following week. The process should be comprehensive, considering it determines accurately the composition of the next Dáil.

Formation of a New Government

The first session of the 34th Dáil is scheduled for Wednesday, 18 December, at 10:30. A new government is to be formed after the Dáil votes to have a new taoiseach or prime minister. It will signify the start of a new political path for Ireland as the voters decide what way the country should move in her political steering.