DUBLIN, Ireland — Voters in Ireland appear to have overturned the country’s abortion ban, according to two exit polls released on Friday night.

One poll, conducted for The Irish Times, showed wide support — 68 percent to 32 percent — for the repeal of a constitutional amendment that essentially outlawed abortion.

A second exit poll, by RTE Television, showed similar results, with nearly 70 percent of respondents saying they had voted to repeal the amendment, The Associated Press reported.

Exit polling is not necessarily predictive, however, and the counting of votes cast in a referendum on Friday began on 9 a.m. Saturday. Official results are expected to be announced late Saturday afternoon.