Counting has begun in the Irish general election, as exit polls suggest a close contest between the three major parties.

Vote counting got underway Saturday in Ireland’s national election after an exit poll suggested the contest is a close-fought race among the country’s three largest political parties. Ballot boxes were opened at 9 a.

Ireland's opposition party Sinn Féin looked on course to narrowly win the popular vote in the country's general election on Friday, an exit poll suggested, but its two main political rivals— the incumbent coalition parties of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil— will likely have enough support to retain power.