LISTEN: Over one million voters urged to leave pets at home as polls open across NI

By Q Radio News

The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland has urged voters to leave their pets at home during the 2019 General Election unless they rely on them to get around.    

Virginia McVea says those who have animals supporting them in a caring role such as a guide dog shouldn't hesitate to take them to one of the 619 polling stations across the Province.  

However she appealed to the rest of the 1.3 million eligible voters not to "bring the cat or the goldfish" when they cast their ballots between 7am and 10pm today.   

"For those who are have animals supporting them in a caring role, for example a guide dog, of course we are going to encourage those people to come along," she said. 

"Otherwise we would be very grateful if people would walk their dog on another occasion." 

Registered voters will require a valid photographic ID to take part in the third election this year which follows local government and European polls held back in May.

Pictures of pets accompanying their owners to schools, villages halls and pubs across the UK began trending on Twitter as the the nation voted in the European Parliament elections.

Today a total of 102 candidates are standing in 18 constituencies across Northern Ireland.

Nearly 1,400 ballot boxes will be taken to four count centres in Bangor, Belfast, Magherafelt and Omagh when polls close with counting taking place overnight. 

Ms McVea says 2017 data suggests the first results should be in by 1am tomorrow.

"The earliest ones had been finishing the count just after 1am with decalartions coming in early in Belfast," she said. 

The chief electoral officer Virginia McVea also reminded voters they must remember to bring photographic ID.
 

Chief Electoral Officer Virginia McVea is urging voters today to remember their photographic ID. A total of 102 candidates are standing in 18 constituencies across NI. Counting will take place overnight at four different centres across the province. pic.twitter.com/nfvCLlZ8wm

— Hannah Spratt (@Radio_Han) December 12, 2019