Ireland opens polls to decide on gay marriage
If the country votes “yes”, it will become the first country in the world where citizens decided on same-sex marriage.
The historically Catholic Republic of Ireland will hold a national referendum on Friday in order to decide whether to extend marriage rights to gay couples.
More than 3.2m people are expected to go to the polls from 07:00 BST to 22:00 BST, when the polling stations will close.
As its constitution can only be amended by a process of national referendum, the country will become the first country in the world were citizens will vote over same-sex marriage.
Voters will be asked to approve this addition to the constitution: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”
The country faced a huge campaigning over the last months, divided between supporters and detractors. While most of the political parties and the media have shown their support, family and religious groups have shown their opposition to such a measure.
A yes vote costs the rest of us nothing. A no vote costs our gay children everything
"A yes vote costs the rest of us nothing. A no vote costs our gay children everything," said former Irish president Mary McAleese at a gay rights event in Dublin.
If the “yes” wins, the Marriage Equality Bill 2015, which was passed by Irish lawmakers in March will be endorsed.
This referendum comes 22 years after the country decriminalised homosexuality, and five years after the Irish government recognised the partnership of gay couples.
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