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General Election called - polling day 26th February

On the advice of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, under Article 13.2 of the Constitution, the President has today dissolved Dáil Éireann and has summoned the incoming Dáil to meet on Thursday, 10 March, 2016, at 10.30 a.m.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly signed the Polling Day Order today, appointing 26 February 2016 as polling day from 7am - 10pm.

The latest time for receiving nominations is noon on Thursday 11 February, 2016.  Candidates may withdraw their nominations up to noon on Friday 12 February, 2016.  There will be 158 members in the new Dáil, including the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett, who will be automatically returned.

The electorate, which is based on the new register of electors published on 1 February 2016, currently stands at approximately 3.2 million.  People eligible to vote but not yet registered as electors may apply for entry in the supplement to the register of electors to be published before polling day.  The deadline for such applications is Tuesday, 9 February, 2016.

The closing date for eligible categories to apply to the relevant County, City or City and County Council to be put on the postal or special voting list is Friday, 5 February, 2016.