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26th May 2018

Here are the reasons why people voted ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the eighth amendment referendum

Jade Hayden

RTE’s exit poll has revealed the factors that influenced the Irish public to vote either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in yesterday’s referendum.

According to the poll, the main factor influencing those who voted was the women’s right to choose.

The poll, which was released just before 11.30pm on last night’s Late Late Show showed that 62 percent of those who voted in yesterday’s referendum did so to support the woman’s right to choose.

55 percent said that they thought risks to the health or life of a woman was an important factor, while 40 percent said pregnancy as a result of rape or incest was a reason.

36 percent of people said that they were voting for the right to life of the unborn.

The right to life of those with Down syndrome or other disabilities was a factor for 24 percent of people, while 15 percent voted due to a lack of trust of politicians.

12 percent of voters cited their religious views as a factor for their vote.

Participants were allowed to provide several reasons for voting which is why these stats do not add up to 100 percent.

The national broadcaster’s exit poll showed that over 69 percent of people had voted ‘Yes’ in favour of repealing the eighth amendment.

RTE’s exit poll also showed that the vast majority of those who voted hadn’t changed their mind on the issue in years.

The poll was conducted by RTE and was carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes.

The official referendum result is expected later today.