Voting under way in presidential election

Polls open until 10pm this evening

Voting is underway across Westmeath, and nationwide, in the presidential election.

Turnout, so far, is reportedly slow as voters cast their ballots - choosing either former TD Heather Humphreys or Independent Catherine Connolly to sit in Áras an Uachtaráin for the next seven years.

Polling stations will remain open until 10pm tonight. Voters must present valid ID and will receive a ballot paper listing the candidates.

People do not need their polling cards but it is helpful to bring it to the polling station.

However, a passport, public service card, driving licence or bank cards with proof of address will suffice.

Voting is by secret ballot under the proportional representation–single transferable vote system - and voters will rank candidates by preference - 1, 2, 3 - though marking just one candidate is also valid. Once marked, the ballot is folded and placed into a sealed ballot box.

Today's vote is taking place at more than 5,500 polling stations across the country. Some 3.6 million people are eligible to vote.

In this election, three candidates were validly nominated.

Former Fianna Fáil candidate and Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin’s name remains on the ballot despite withdrawing his candidacy following controversy over rental overpayments relating to a former tenant.

Although he stepped aside, any votes for Gavin will be counted and distributed in the usual way.

Boxes will be opened at 9am tomorrow when the counting of votes begins.

Counting will begin tomorrow morning (Saturday), October 25, with the Longford Westmeath constituency count taking place at John McCormack Hall, Technological University of the Shannon Athlone, (formerly AIT), Athlone, Co Westmeath under the watchful eye of returning officer Bridín Concannon .

First, ballots are sorted by first-preference votes and spoiled votes are set aside.

The quota for election is calculated as 50% of valid votes cast plus one.

If no candidate meets the quota on first preferences come Saturday, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their votes are transferred according to next preferences, with keen interest on seeing how any votes for Gavin could influence the final result.

An outcome is expected by Saturday evening and the new president will be formally inaugurated at Dublin Castle days after.