Early tallies suggest Catherine Connolly is leading candidate in Ireland’s presidential election

LONDON AP Counting was underway Saturday for votes in Ireland s presidential vote with early tallies suggesting a important lead for left-wing independent Catherine Connolly Voters were choosing between Connolly and center-right Heather Humphreys as their new president a largely ceremonial role in the European Union member country The two women were the only contenders after Jim Gavin the candidate for Prime Minister Miche l Martin sFianna Fail party quit the race three weeks before the electoral contest over a long-ago financial dispute Martin who heads Ireland s cabinet had personally backed Gavin as a presidential candidate Though Gavin had stopped campaigning his name remains on the ballot paper because of his late withdrawal from the race While Irish presidents represent the country on the world stage host visiting heads of state and play an vital constitutional role they do not have the power to shape laws or policies Connolly the frontrunner has garnered the backing of a range of left-leaning parties including Sinn F in the Labour Party and the Social Democrats The -year-old former barrister an independent lawmaker since has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza Polls have suggested strong voter help for her over rival Humphreys from the center-right party Fine Gael The former cabinet minister has stressed that she is a center-ground pro-business pro-EU candidate who will strive for unity Others including musician Bob Geldof and the former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor had indicated they wished to run for president but failed to receive enough backing for a nomination The winner will succeed Michael D Higgins who has been president since having served the maximum two seven-year terms Connolly or Humphreys will be Ireland s th president and the third woman to hold the post Voting slips were being counted by hand The final upshot will be declared later Saturday once all electoral constituencies across the country have completed counting Source