Voter turnout across County Waterford is proving modest ahead of the close of polling today, as the electorate heads to the ballot for the next President of Ireland.

In Waterford City, turnout so far is estimated between 23 % and 25 %. In Dungarvan, the figure stands at about 27 %, while in Tramore turnout is lower still, in the region of 15-18 %.

In the Gaeltacht region of An Rinn, the average turnout is about 24 %, and in the rural Dungarvan area approximately 25.3 %.

Polling-station snapshots show widely varying engagement: at around 4pm in Stradbally, turnout was 19 %; at 4.30pm in Kilrossanty it was about 20 %; in Dungarvan’s St Joseph’s Primary School (Dungarvan) around 5pm it stood at 20 %, while at St Mary’s (Dungarvan) it was around 17.5 %. Elsewhere, Abbeyside National School recorded one of the highest local figures at 27 %, matched by An Rinn at 27 %. In the city, Farronshoneen reported 25 % at about 5pm, and St Mary’s National School (Ballygunner) recorded 25.4 %.

Polling staff noted a generally subdued mood among voters, with many indicating dissatisfaction with the choice of candidates and remarking that turnout appears well down on previous comparable elections.

With just a few hours remaining until the ballot boxes close, there is still time for more voters to cast their ballot.

The election today is for the office of the President of Ireland.

The field technically includes three names on the ballot: Catherine Connolly , Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin (nominated by Fianna Fáil but who withdrew his active campaign prior to polling day).

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.