Order of counts for Mayo local elections is revealed

Candidates contesting the local elections in Mayo have been informed of the order of the counts for the six electoral area at the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre, Castlebar, on Saturday and Sunday next.

It is as follows:

1. Castlebar.

2. Claremorris

3. Belmullet.

4. Swinford.

5. Ballina.

6. Westport.

It begins with the Castlebar Electoral Area (seven seats) at 9 a.m. on Saturday and a full tally of the first preference figures is expected to be available around 11 a.m.

Counting of the votes in the Claremorris Electoral Area (six seats) begins around 11 a.m. on Saturday with tally figures available from lunchtime.

Counting of the votes in the Belmullet Electoral Area (three seats) is also set to take place on Saturday while a start may or may not be made to the Swinford Electoral Area (4 seats).

Returning officer John Condon is aiming to have Castlebar, Claremorris and Belmullet fully completed on Saturday, barring a recount or recounts.

The counts continue on Sunday when the results of Swinford, Ballina and Westport areas are scheduled to be finalised - and may go into the early hours of Monday.

Apart from the main county centre in the TF Royal Theatre, two other rooms - the Ruby Room and the Velvet Room - are also at the disposal of the returning officer.

A total of 73 candidates are bidding to win 30 seats on Mayo County Council.

The count for the European Parliament elections for the midlands north west constituency also takes place in the Castlebar count centre.