Connolly leads Ireland presidential polls as voting begins

Polling stations opened across Ireland at 7am on Friday as more than 3.6 million eligible voters began choosing the country's next president in a contest dominated by Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys. A Red C poll conducted Oct. 16 to 21 suggests Connolly held a substantial lead ahead of polling day, and early voting patterns and turnout figures are expected to determine whether the contest requires a second count.

The Red C survey of 1,012 adults put Connolly on 44 percent and Humphreys on 25 percent, with former Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin, who withdrew after the close of nominations, still appearing on ballots at about 10 percent and 11 percent undecided. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points. Polling officials note that if the vote mirrors the poll, Connolly could be elected on the first count because Ireland's single transferable vote system allows at most two counts in a three-candidate race.

Voters had until 10pm to cast ballots at more than 5,500 stations nationwide. Early and midafternoon turnout figures indicated a patchwork pattern, with some constituencies showing low participation and others stronger...