Laois vote sorting steady but signs of change in Portlaoise electoral area
Battle is on in Portlaoise district
Political party election tallies in Portlaoise are a long way off completion but there signs of change are on the horizon in the county's biggest municipal districts.
Naeem Iqbal Fianna Fáil and non-party candidate Bolaji Adeyanju appear to be polling well in the Portlaoise area with the two coming out of one box first and second respectively.
Sitting councillors Willie Aird, Fine Gael, Caroline Dwane Stanley, Sinn Féin, have polled well in the urban area. Fianna Fáil's Catherine Fitzgerald is polling steadily.
Sinn Féin have yet to show signs of a breakthrough in the town.
Fine Gael councillor Thomasina Connell looks to be under pressure while Marie Tuohy may also be in trouble for Labour.
Many of the rural boxes in the district have yet to be opened where councillors John Joe Fennelly and Barry Walsh hold seats.
There are seven sets up for grabs in the district.
Vote sorting is being carried out at the Nano Nagle Hall at the CBS / Scoil Chriost Ri school in Portlaoise. The local election votes will be transferred on Saturday to the Kea Lew Business Park in Portlaoise.