A dog owner and their dogs arrive at a polling station to cast their votes in the Irish presidential elections and the blasphemy referendum in Dublin, Ireland, October 26, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A dog waits for it's owner as he votes in the Irish presidential election at a polling station in St Joseph's School, Dublin. Cate McCurry/PA Wire

Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @stokesofdublin of his dog Hugo waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. Bernard Harbor/PA Wire

Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @SilentFugitive of his dog Diesel waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. JoeLaff/PA Wire

Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @MrJonPayne of his dog waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election.Jon Payne/PA Wire

Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @Yokeups of her dog Buffy waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. Siobhan Quill/PA Wire

As Ireland went to the polls for the presidential election, the tradition of voters bringing their dogs to the polls returned in full force.

The hashtag #dogsatpollingstations trended on Twitter on Friday, with voters sharing pictures of their pets as they arrived to take part.

With more than 3.2 million people entitled to vote in 40 constituencies, many used their canine friends to encourage others to exercise their democratic right.

"Me and Mr Dog exercising my democratic right," wrote Jon Payne.

Expand Close Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @MrJonPayne of his dog waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election.Jon Payne/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @MrJonPayne of his dog waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election.Jon Payne/PA Wire

"Hugo among the #DogsAtPollingStations. Now Go And Vote for @MichaelDHiggins," wrote Bernard Harbor with an image of his dog, tagging incumbent President Michael D Higgins.

"Buffy says make sure you get out to vote today!" tweeted Siobhan Quill.

Expand Close Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @SilentFugitive of his dog Diesel waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. JoeLaff/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @SilentFugitive of his dog Diesel waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. JoeLaff/PA Wire

Polling stations were due to open across the country from between 7am and 10pm, with the electorate also being asked whether they wanted to remove the offence of blasphemy from the Irish constitution.

"Gabby has given Miggeldy her number one and voted to remove blasphemy from the constitution," wrote @DogsForChoice.

Expand Close A dog waits for it's owner as he votes in the Irish presidential election at a polling station in St Joseph's School, Dublin. Cate McCurry/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A dog waits for it's owner as he votes in the Irish presidential election at a polling station in St Joseph's School, Dublin. Cate McCurry/PA Wire

"Miggeldy" refers to President Higgins, one of six candidates in the election.

The others are Senator Joan Freeman, Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada and three businessmen - Sean Gallagher, Gavin Duffy and Peter Casey.

Expand Close Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @stokesofdublin of his dog Hugo waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. Bernard Harbor/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @stokesofdublin of his dog Hugo waiting outside a polling station in Ireland, as the country goes to the polls to vote in the Irish presidential election. Bernard Harbor/PA Wire

While some promoted their favourite candidate, others took the opportunity to suggest dog-friendly policies.

"Diesel says that in these uncertain times we need more doggy biscuits," wrote Joe Lafferty, Twitter handle @SilentFugitive.

Much of the social media activity around #dogsatpollingstations is light-hearted but Mr Lafferty said the trend "strikes a chord" with many.

"It brings a sense of colour to an otherwise dry subject matter," the 45-year-old from Donegal told the Press Association. "To [dog lovers], there is a dog-human bond there that no politician could ever establish.

"People trust in the loyalty of their dog, way more than of a politician."

Journalist Cate McCurry posted a picture of a husky with the caption: "Nine-year-old Jackson patiently waiting on his owner to return from voting in the presidential elections."

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