Voter turnout is slow around the country in the Presidential election and blasphemy referendum.

Nationally turnout is in the high teens and early 20s.

A number of polling stations across the country are saying turnout is only half of what was seen for the Eighth Amendment referendum in May.

And it looks likely that less people will vote this time than did in 2011, when the turnout was 56%.

In Dublin voting numbers have been slow across the county, as low as 10% in some booths just after lunchtime.

Pictured are President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins voting today in the Irish Presidential election at St. Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park | Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

At around 12.00pm, Cork was averaging a 9% turnout.

While figures in Waterford were in the low to mid teens at around 3.00pm and it has been higher in Limerick.

Most boxes there are recording in the high teens to early 20s.

Mayo is averaging 19%, similar to Roscommon and Westmeath, which are slightly ahead of that.

Pictured is Presidential candidate Gavin Duffy with his wife Orlaith Carmody voting in the Irish Presidential election in Julianstown National School, Co Meath | Image: Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie

In Longford, the turnout is only around 13%and may not breach 30% overall.

Carlow and Kilkenny are following the overall national trend, coming in around 18% or 19%.

While in Tipperary the overall picture is in the early 20s - with one booth in Thurles recording a 53% turnout.

The polls close at 10.00pm this evening, when two exit polls give an indication of the result.

Voters are being offered six options for the country’s next head of state.

Incumbent Michael D Higgins is the first sitting President to actively campaign for a second term.

Pictured is Presidential candidate Joan Freeman with her husband Pat, voting in the Irish Presidential election in Social Mhuire National School, Lucan in Dublin | Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

Also on the ballot are Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada and Independent Senator Joan Freeman.

They are joined by the three businessmen Peter Casey, Seán Gallagher and Gavin Duffy.

Meanwhile, the Referendum Commission is encouraging people to use their vote, amid fears turnout will be low after a lacklustre campaign.

A 'Yes' vote in the blasphemy referendum would mean deleting the reference to blasphemy in the Constitution - allowing the Oireachtas to officially remove it as a criminal offence.

A 'No' vote would leave the Constitution unchanged.

Voters are advised to bring their voting card and official ID with them to the polling centres.

Additional reporting: Sean Defoe and Jack Quann