Independent Senator Ronan Mullen looks set to top the poll in the Seanad election for the National University of Ireland (NUI).
The senator has tweeted figures, suggesting he is on 20% of the vote.
Tally of 8389 votes: Mullen 20% McDowell 15.2% Ó Céidigh 6.69% Higgins AM 6.14% Begg 5.19%. #NUI #Seanad16
— Senator Rónán Mullen (@RonanMullen) April 26, 2016
The senator has ran his campaign on a ticket of a politician "who stands up for the voiceless and vulnerable in our society".
"There is an increasing appetite for change in Irish politics", he says.
"People realise that political parties cannot be trusted to honour their election promises. There has been justified outrage over the failure to respect TDs’ and Senators’ deepest convictions on a range of issues", he adds.
Senator Mullen was a strong advocate for a 'No' vote in the marriage equality referendum last year.
He claimed that if the referendum was passed, it would have undermined children's rights.
