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Ballot casting has ended in the Irish presidential election, which will determine who replaces outgoing head of state Michael D Higgins in the eleventh month.

The leading competitors - Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys - must remain patient until Saturday morning for the earliest signs of how the nation has cast ballots before discovering if they will become the nation's next head of state.

Preliminary reports suggest the election attendance could possibly fail to reach the record low of just under 40% registered in the previous presidential race.

Counting Process

The vote counting begins at 09:00 local time on the weekend and the final outcome is anticipated to be revealed at the historic castle that evening.

The Irish president is selected by representative voting via the transferable ballot (PR-STV) system.

Ballots were placed at approximately numerous polling places in 43 constituencies around the state between 07:00 and 10 PM on Friday.

Aspirants

Catherine Connolly is running as an non-aligned contender with the support of a diverse range of progressive groups and politicians, including the main opposition party Sinn Féin.

The coalition government party, Fine Gael, is supported by previous cabinet member, Heather Humphreys, who originates from a Protestant family in the border county of Monaghan.

A other aspirant, Jim Gavin, who was nominated by the main coalition party, Fianna Fáil, withdrew from the campaign earlier in October after intense controversy over a property conflict.

Nevertheless, as his departure came after the close of nominations, the regulation specifies his identity must stay on the election ballot.

Any ballots placed for him will be registered as legitimate and redirected to the two other candidates if required.

Voter Information

Per An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland's autonomous election authority, about millions of Irish residents are eligible to vote.

Those casting their vote on Friday included Bridie Dunphy, 104-year-old, who made her way to a election site in proximity to her home in Dublin.

Irish residents in the northern region are ineligible to vote in the presidential race.

But, as transpired in the instance of previous head of state Mary McAleese, Irish individuals from the six counties are allowed to run in the election, even though they may not vote.

This irregularity is the subject of an ongoing debate and advocacy groups have been advocating to have voting rights granted to Irish citizens in the six counties.

Michael D Higgins is due to complete the second of his successive seven-year periods at 12 AM on the 10th of November, with the incoming head of state projected to be formally installed the subsequent day.