What you need to know before casting your vote today – times, documents and key advice

Polling stations across the country have opened their doors as voters head out to participate in today’s General Election 

Polling stations will remain open until 10 pm tonight to accommodate people’s work and other commitments.

Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, offered up some key advice for first-time voters:  

“Bring your passport, your driving licence, or a student card - some form of ID,” he advised.  

Once inside, O’Leary went through the process for marking the ballot paper:  

“Start with [the number] one and work your way down as far through the ballot paper as you would like. 

“Don’t write anything else on the ballot paper - all we want to see are numbers.”  

For voters who make a mistake, O’Leary assured them that the process to correct it is straightforward and stress-free.  

“If when you’re voting, you make a mistake on your ballot paper, then you can just bring it back to the person who gave you the ballot paper, say you’ve made a mistake, they’ll destroy it, and you’ll be given a fresh ballot paper,” he explained.  

“There is no shame in this, don’t be embarrassed; it is much more important that you vote properly.”  

Voters are also reminded that photography is strictly prohibited inside polling stations.

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