Ahern favoured in close race

DUBLIN - Voters went to the polls overnight to pass judgment on Bertie Ahern's 10 years as Prime Minister of a country transformed by prosperity.

The chances are that neither Ahern nor his rival for the post Enda Kenny will have enough seats in the Dail for the immediate formation of a new government.

A late surge in favour of Ahern's Fianna Fail means he is favourite to return. But with votes spread over six separate substantial parties it could be some days or weeks before a new administration is agreed.

One possible - though unlikely - outcome is for an Ahern government supported by Sinn Fein. Ahern's preferred option is for his party to be supported by the Progressive Democrats.

The alternative coalition which is seeking to take power from him is Kenny's Fine Gael in partnership with the Irish Labour Party.

- INDEPENDENT