People throughout Ireland have begun casting their votes in a referendum that may lead to a loosening of the country’s strict ban on abortions. Polling stations across Ireland open at 7am and close at 10pm on Friday.
More than 3.2 million people are registered to vote in the referendum, with more than 100,000 new voters registering ahead of the poll.
Voters will be asked if they want to repeal the eighth amendment of the country’s constitution, which recognises the equal right to life of both mother and unborn child, effectively banning terminations.
If the vote is in favour of repeal, the government plans to introduce legislation permitting unrestricted abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions up to the 23rd week will be permitted when a woman’s health is threatened and in cases of a fatal foetal abnormality.
Currently, abortion is only allowed when a woman’s life is at risk, but not in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality according to the low imposed in 1983.
As a result of the stringent controls on abortion, each year about 3,500 women travel abroad, mostly to the UK, to terminate their pregnancies and an estimated 2,000 women illegally procure abortion pills online and self-administer them with no medical supervision.
The two biggest parties in the country, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are allowing members to take a free position on the issue, while Sinn Fein and Labour are officially backing a Yes vote.
US doctor Willie Parker explains why, despite being a Christian, he supports the repeal of Ireland’s eighth amendment. Aisling said she had voted and that she hopes Ireland “does the right thing today”.
People, like Tara Flynn and Paul Mara below, have begun sharing photos from outside polling stations, saying they got up early to vote or that they cast their ballot before heading to work.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar tweeted his support for the bill before a moratorium on campaigning took effect Thursday. He urged people to vote “yes” in favour of repeal.
>Juthy Saha
Ireland’s Vote on Abortion Referendum
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