Exit ballot: Sinn Féin, High-quality Gael and Fianna Fáil just about neck-and-neck in election | BreakingNews.ie

Sinn Féin (21.1 per cent), High-quality Gael (21 per cent) and Fianna Fáil (19.5 per cent) are just about neck-and-neck by way of first-preference votes within the basic election, based on an exit ballot.

The Social Democrats are on 5.8 per cent of first-preference votes, adopted by Labour (5 per cent) and the Inexperienced Occasion (4 per cent).

Elsewhere, the exit ballot confirmed: Aontú (3.6 per cent), Folks Earlier than Revenue-Solidarity (3.1 per cent) and Unbiased Eire (2.2 per cent).

Independents and different candidates had been on 14.6 per cent.

There’s a margin of error of 1.4 per cent.

The survey, commissioned by The Irish Instances, RTÉ, TG4 and Trinity School Dublin and carried out by Ipsos B&A, offers the primary clear indication of the end result of the election.

The exit ballot relies on about 5,000 interviews performed with voters instantly after voting within the 43 constituencies throughout the nation.

The interviews had been very brief, self-administered and performed in non-public to imitate the voting expertise, as carefully as potential.

Over the weekend extra detailed outcomes can be launched. These will embody what had been a very powerful points for voters as they forged their vote and attitudinal and coverage questions. It will present a way more detailed image of the temper and profile of the voters.

Sinn Féin’s director of elections Matt Carthy hailed his celebration’s efficiency.

He mentioned it marked a big turnaround from the celebration’s disappointing exhibiting in June’s native and European elections.

“When you think about the place we’d have been popping out of the native and European elections, I’ve to say it’s an exceptional consequence,” Mr Carthy informed RTÉ.

He added: “We do recall that in 2020 the exit ballot truly undershot Sinn Fein to the tune of two per cent-plus. So if that was to transpire tomorrow morning, there may be each likelihood that Sinn Fein will emerge from these elections as the biggest political celebration.”

Mr Carthy wouldn’t be drawn on what the exit ballot may imply for coalition formation.

“It is a massively constructive exit ballot however the actual votes can be counted tomorrow, so let’s see the place they land,” he mentioned.

The polls opened at 7am and closed at 10pm on Friday, with a complete of 174 seats within the Dáil to be crammed – greater than ever earlier than.

Greater than 3 million registered voters picked their representatives throughout 43 constituencies, in a marketing campaign that has centered on the housing disaster, the response to a dramatic improve in immigration, and financial administration for the price of dwelling in addition to potential future commerce shocks.