Ballot boxes open and votes being counted as repeal victory expected in Irish abortion referendum

Votes are now being counted ahead of the results of yesterday's referendum on the eighth amendment.

Ballot boxes across the country were opened for the first time at 9am today allowing votes to be counted to give an official result as to whether Ireland will repeal or retain the eighth amendment. Early indications from both the Irish Times and RTE exit polls last night show that a 'Yes' vote is likely to win by a "landslide." https://twitter.com/RosaWomen/status/1000286481540411392 The Irish Times exit poll released at 10.01pm last night showed that 68 percent of people had voted 'Yes' in favour of removing the eighth amendment from the Irish constitution. The amendment makes abortion illegal in Ireland except where there is a "real and substantial risk" to the life of the mother. RTE's exit poll released just before 11.30pm on last night's Late Late Show boasted a similar result, suggesting that 69 percent of people had voted in favour of repeal. The margin for error on both of these exit polls is estimated at  +/- 1.5 percent. https://twitter.com/IrishTimes/status/1000119754164666369 Ballot boxes were opened for the first time across the country this morning. Votes from over 6,500 stations will be opened and counted by thousands of volunteers. It is expected the count will be completed by this afternoon with the official result being announced later today in Dublin Castle. https://twitter.com/RosannaCooney/status/1000287409425272833