Byrner
06-13-2008, 09:19 AM
Lisbon referendum counting under way
Counting of votes in the Lisbon Treaty referendum began at 9am today, and the result is expected to be declared this afternoon.
Polling stations closed at 10pm last night after 15 hours of voting in the referendum, the result of which will determine the future development of the European Union and its institutions.
Voting began at 7am, and stations in 43 constituencies were open until 10pm to encourage as many people as possible to vote.
Turnout was reported at about 40 per cent by 9pm, up from 20 per cent in some constituencies by mid-afternoon. In general, turnout was reported to be higher in city areas than in rural areas.
By the time polls closed at 10pm last night, around 50 per cent of the three million people registered to vote were understood to have cast their ballots.
Both the No and Yes sides of the treaty debate expressed confidence that the result will go in their favour, but the result may be tight with 17 per cent of voters still undecided in a poll last weekend.
There is concern in other EU countries about the impact of the decision by Irish voters, and the French and German governments are expected to make a joint statement later today once the Irish result is known.
Full coverage of the referendum results will be available on The Irish Times website (http://www.ireland.com/focus/thelisbontreaty), with reports and analysis along with audio commentary from the count centre at Dublin Castle. Results from the count centres will be updated live throughout the day.
Ireland was the only country to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
News Source: http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0613/breaking1.htm
Counting of votes in the Lisbon Treaty referendum began at 9am today, and the result is expected to be declared this afternoon.
Polling stations closed at 10pm last night after 15 hours of voting in the referendum, the result of which will determine the future development of the European Union and its institutions.
Voting began at 7am, and stations in 43 constituencies were open until 10pm to encourage as many people as possible to vote.
Turnout was reported at about 40 per cent by 9pm, up from 20 per cent in some constituencies by mid-afternoon. In general, turnout was reported to be higher in city areas than in rural areas.
By the time polls closed at 10pm last night, around 50 per cent of the three million people registered to vote were understood to have cast their ballots.
Both the No and Yes sides of the treaty debate expressed confidence that the result will go in their favour, but the result may be tight with 17 per cent of voters still undecided in a poll last weekend.
There is concern in other EU countries about the impact of the decision by Irish voters, and the French and German governments are expected to make a joint statement later today once the Irish result is known.
Full coverage of the referendum results will be available on The Irish Times website (http://www.ireland.com/focus/thelisbontreaty), with reports and analysis along with audio commentary from the count centre at Dublin Castle. Results from the count centres will be updated live throughout the day.
Ireland was the only country to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
News Source: http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0613/breaking1.htm