Irish people are voting until 22:00 local time to elect representatives for the Teachtaí Dála (TDs) in Ireland’s lower house of parliament, the BBC reports.
The 34th Dáil Éireann, the lower house and principal chamber of the Oireachtas, will have 174 TDs, up from 160 in 2020. Friday’s vote comes after a three-week election campaign.
However, the Irish will elect 173 TDs, with one seat in the Dáil going to the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker). The legislators will represent 43 constituencies across Ireland. Meanwhile, 88 Teachtaí Dála are required to achieve an absolute majority.
The candidates for the election include representatives of the three main parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the leading opposition Sinn Féin party. The three parties are also joined by a number of smaller ones and many independent candidates.
The first session of the 34th Parliament is due to take place on 18 December. The government will be officially formed when the Dáil votes on the appointment of a new prime minister.
