Lengthy ballot papers are leading to some delays at polling stations around the country when people are placing completed ballots into boxes at polling stations.

The number of candidates listed on ballot papers for the European Parliament elections means voters are casting their preferences on pieces of paper up to 50cm long.

Votes that have been folded multiple times are proving tricky to post into the slots on ballot boxes.

A similar problem is emerging in some local electoral areas where there are lots of candidates contesting seats.

Returning Officers have indicated that the segregation of ballot papers tomorrow morning may also be delayed by the long ballot papers.

Read more:

Polling stations open around country

What you need to know about the European Elections

Count centre staff around the country will separate European, Local, Referendum, and in some cases Mayoral plebiscite papers into different piles when the boxes are opened.

Their task will be complicated depending on how many times they have to unfold each ballot.