'A lack of oomph'

Lacklustre campaign for Irish presidency fails to inspire voters

- Rory Carroll

With just days until Ireland's presidential election there are growing fears that a lacklustre campaign may prompt many people to spoil their vote or boycott the ballot.

Opinion polls give Catherine Connolly, an independent leftwing candidate, a wide lead over Heather Humphreys, who represents the ruling centre-right establishment. But they also show frustration and disillusionment over the campaign.

Almost half of voters say they do not feel represented by either candidate, raising concerns about a possible low turnout and high rate of spoilt votes on Friday.

“It has been a relatively dull campaign and there is quite a bit of frustration with the number of candidates,” said Kevin Rafter, a political scientist and coauthor of The Irish Presidency: Power, Ceremony and Politics.

“The campaign has been disappointing in the lack of intellectual oomph and ambition. It hasn't inspired voters. Neither candidate has really identified a particular theme,” he added.

“Of the big ticket items in Irish society - housing, race, climate change, unification - they have had very little interesting things to say.”