DUBLIN, Oct 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ireland voted Friday to elect a new president, with left-wing independent Catherine Connolly expected to beat her female challenger in an election marred by criticism of the limited choice.

The contest, pitting Connolly against Heather Humphreys of the centrist Fine Gael party, has also been tainted by calls to spoil ballots over the lack of a right-wing candidate.

A third centre-right contender for the largely ceremonial role dropped out after controversy over unpaid rent.

Celebrities who considered running in the election included controversial Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor, singer Bob Geldof and dancer Michael Flatley.

The winner will succeed 84-year-old Michael D. Higgins, who has held the post since 2011.

Polls opened at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) and are due to close at 10:00 pm (2100 GMT), with a result expected late Saturday.

Connolly, 68, a barrister and member of parliament since 2016, has surged ahead in opinion polls in recent weeks.

Her campaign included a viral video of her juggling a football and appearances on popular podcasts, boosting her profile with younger people.

Supported by left-wing parties including Sinn Fein, Connolly champions social justice and military neutrality and is critical of the United States and European Union.

Humphreys, a 62-year-old former cabinet member from Ireland's small Protestant minority, has claimed to be a unifier.

The campaign was marked by widespread frustration at the choice for voters, with the lowest number of candidates standing since 1990 prompting forecasts of a low turnout.

A third candidate Jim Gavin representing the centrist Fianna Fail -- the larger party in Ireland's governing coalition with Fine Gael -- remained on ballot papers because he only quit the race earlier this month.

A former military pilot and pick of Irish premier Micheal Martin, he performed poorly in election debates before withdrawing over a private rent payment controversy.

Conservative figures have urged voters to spoil their ballots in protest at the lack of right-wing options.

A conservative Catholic candidate almost made the ballot but fell short of gaining enough parliamentary backers, sparking anger about the nomination rules.