No major problems with electronic voting

The new electronic voting system appears to be working well in the three pilot constituencies where it is being used, with the only reported problems coming early this morning in Dublin North.

There were a small number of complaints from voters in the constituency who said they were unable to vote because of a problem with the machine.

A Department of the Environment spokesman said the problem, at St Columcille’s school in Swords, was due to an "operator error". This had now been rectified, and voting was continuing as normal.

Only a few people were affected, he said, as turnout had been quite low since polling opened at 7.30 a.m.

There were no problems reported in Dublin West or Meath, the two other constituencies where the new voting system is being piloted today.

The Meath returning officer told ireland.comthat there have been no reported problems among voters. "That's not to say there haven't been some difficulties, but nothing major reported to me," she said, adding that polling stations had been busy all morning.

There was a minor hitch at one polling station where officers had difficulties with switching on the machines, but it was resolved swiftly.

Results from the three "electronic" constituencies will become known early tomorrow morning. Counting in the remaining 39 constituencies will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow.