Ahead of the general election a reminder of what you will need to cast your vote.
There are 158 seats in Dáil Eireann. The outgoing Ceann Comhairle will return so the voting public will decide who the remaining 157 deputies will be. Across 40 constituencies 3.25 million people are eligible to vote .
Voters receive a polling card in the post with details including the location of their polling station. While the polling card is not required to vote, it is advised to bring appropriate identification to the ballot station. If your name is on the voting register, you will be handed a ballot paper.
The ballot papers contain the names of the candidates listed in alphabetical order, along with a photograph and details, if applicable, of the political party they represent.
The system of voting we use is Proportional Representation.
Proportional Representation allows for the transfer of votes between candidates. This means that voters have the option to vote 1, 2, 3 and so on down the ballot. To avoid spoiling a vote, only the preferences should be written on the ballot paper.
Polling stations will be open from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm tomorrow and the counting of votes begins at 9.00 am the following morning.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 February 2016. The reporter is Conor Hunt.
