Irish presidency election: nominations to close

Senator David Norris and former pop star Dana Rosemary Scallon received last minute backing from local councils to secure their places on the ballot.

They joined independents Sean Gallagher and Mary Davis, Labour's Michael D Higgins, Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.

The election will takes place on 27 October.

The role of Irish president is largely ceremonial, nevertheless election campaigns for the role are robust and, at times, combative.

Current president Mary McAleese, the first to have been born in Northern Ireland, is stepping down after fourteen years in the post.

Mr McGuinness's entry into the race has been controversial with debate surrounding his past in the Provisional IRA and his subsequent role in the peace process and as deputy first minister in Northern Ireland.

The participation of Mr Norris, an academic and gay rights campaigner, has also prompted much discussion; Kazinform cites BBC.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk