Main parties holding sway so far in Longford Municipal District
Some big questions remain to be answered in this district
It all comes down to this. After weeks of canvassing, a sports hall in TUS, Athlone may decide the fate of some candidates in the Local Elections.
The tallies began here this morning at 9 am. The sorting of the Local and European ballot papers will take place here, before the local papers are brought to Edgeworthstown later today.
Then, the official count begins. It’s the day for political anoraks of all shades, as they gather around the staff who are sorting the papers.
In an era when technology is all pervasive, this is a day when the pen, paper and clipboard all hold sway.
The rumour mill cranks up early, based on the early boxes. Comments like “Ross is cleaning up” can be heard.
There aren’t many of the candidates present at this stage, but their interests are being well served by the party tallymen.
In the Longford District, tallies so far indicate that people are sticking with the parties and few independent candidates are gaining any traction.
Some big questions remain to be answered in this district. Not least of these is where will Gerry Warnock’s 600 plus votes go. The smart money might suggest that fellow townie Kevin Hussey (FF) will be a beneficiary but others will also eyeing up those loose votes.
Early tallies suggest that Hussey is struggling to gain ground. Independents Sadia Athar and Mujahi Manzoor are doing well in some boxes.
Long serving councillor Seamus Butler (FF) is holding his own, with 96 votes in Booth 2 of the Battery Road polling station.
Uremu Adejinmi (FF) is contesting his first election, having been co-opted during the term of the last council.
She is polling 61 votes in St. Joseph’s booth 2.
New candidate Niall Gannon (FG), who is bidding to take the seat held for many years by John Browne, is a mixed bag so far, but has polled 80 first preferences in Battery Road booth 2.
James Donnelly (SF), tipped to be in the running for one of the last seats, is struggling to gain ground.
But no-one gets elected at 11.00 am.