Ireland votes on legalising gay marriage

Ireland could be the first country to legalise same-sex marriage as polling stations across Ireland have opened for the referendum, the first time a nationwide vote has been held on the issue.

A report said on Friday in Dublin that people are to vote Yes or No to an amendment to the constitution which states, “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”

It said polling stations opened at 7am and are scheduled to remain open until 10pm.

It said more than 3.2 million people in the mainly Catholic country are entitled to vote, with over 60,000 new voters registering in recent weeks.

The report further said fears have been raised by those opposed to same-sex marriage over surrogacy and children’s rights to access to fathers.

It said recent opinion polls have suggested that same-sex marriage would pass, but turnout was expected to be very important for the Yes side.

The report said a much higher proportion of younger people are expected to vote Yes than the over 65s, who are generally more likely to vote.

It said regional variations are expected to feature with support for the Yes side, expected to be strong among middle-class and urban voters, and weaker in rural constituencies.

Ireland Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, said as a Catholic, he has “no question about extending marriage rights to gay couples.”

He said the electorate also has “nothing to fear by voting yes.”