As vote counting begun following Ireland's general election on Friday, exit polls show a neck-and-neck race between the country's three major political parties, with Sinn Fein, the largest opposition party, taking a narrow lead.
Voting concluded at 22:00 on Friday night and counting began on Saturday morning as Ireland's 3.8 million voters choose new members of the 174-seat lower chamber of parliament, the Dail.
While the final outcome may take several days to determine, an exit poll of some 5,000 people on Friday has given a clear indication of the result.
The poll puts Sinn Fein on 21.1 percent, just ahead of Fine Gael on 21 percent, and Fianna Fail on 19.5 percent.
For over a century since Ireland's independence, every government has been led by one of two main political parties--Fianna Fail and Fine Gael-- both seen as centre-right parties. However, the 2020 general election marked a shift, when Sinn Fein emerged as the second-largest party and largest opposition force in parliament.
Sinn Fein, a left-wing, radical party, has a significant edge among younger voters and low-income groups. It advocates for social reforms and champions the idea of a unified Ireland by any means, including the use of force.
Political analysts suggest that under Ireland's electoral system known as proportional representation, it is unlikely any single party will secure an outright majority in parliament. While Sinn Fein is expected to win a narrow majority of votes in this election, forming a coalition government afterwards remains a challenge for the party.
Some analysts believe that if Sinn Fein successfully forms a coalition with other parties, the issue of Irish reunification could shift from the fringes to the center of the country's political agenda.
Sinn Fein holds slim lead in Irish general election: exit poll
