The Presidential Election Date Has Just Been Announced

The 2018 Irish Presidential campaign is almost upon us and the election date has now been confirmed.

It’s going to take place on Friday, October 26 and the ballot counting will happen the following day.

The new president will then be inaugurated on Saturday November 11.

Confirmed: Presidential election (#aras18) to take place on Friday 26 October, alongside prospective referendum on removing the Constitution's anti-blasphemy clause. @3NewsIreland #3news
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) August 28, 2018

Up to 11 other candidates are planning to challenge Michael D Higgins, who automatically gets his name on the ballot as the current president.

The rest of them will need the backing of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities in order to formally get themselves into the running.

As well as that, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy will be signing an election order today to get the presidential campaign started.

Some of the hopefuls expected to run against Michael D include artist Michael Sharkey, 2011 election runner-up Sean Gallagher, journalist Gemma O'Doherty and businessman of Dragon’s Den fame Gavin Duffy.