High rate of spoilt ballots also probable as poll shows 49% of voters do not feel represented by either candidate
With four days until Ireland’s presidential election there are growing fears that a lacklustre campaign will prompt many people to spoil their vote or boycott the ballot.
Opinion polls give Catherine Connolly, an independent leftwing candidate, a wide lead over Heather Humphreys, who represents the ruling centre-right establishment. However, they also show frustration and disillusionment over the campaign.
Almost half of voters say they do not feel represented by either candidate, fuelling concern at a possible low turnout and high rate of spoilt ballots on 24 October.
“It has been a relatively dull campaign and there is quite a bit of frustration with the number of candidates,” said Prof Kevin Rafter, a political scientist and the co-author of The Irish Presidency: Power, Ceremony and Politics.
