Vote counting is under way in Ireland following Thursday's referendum on whether to ratify the European Union's reform plan, the Lisbon Treaty.
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The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Dublin says a rejection of the plan which streamlines decision making in the now expanded EU, could plunge the bloc into crisis.
Turn out was around 40%, the minimum needed for the referendum to be valid.
The result, which is due soon after 1530 (1430 GMT) on Friday, is expected to be close.
Commentators had predicted that a low turn out figure would suggest a rejection.
Our correspondent says that many voters seem to have voted No for the simple reason that they did not understand the treaty, despite a high-profile Yes campaign led by Prime Minister Brian Cowen which had the support of most of the country's main parties..
The treaty, which is designed to help the EU cope with its expansion into eastern Europe, provides for a streamlining of the European Commission, the removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post.
Fourteen countries have completed ratification so far.
The Lisbon Treaty replaces a more ambitious draft constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
A message for Brussels
Just over three million Irish voters are registered - in a European Union of 490 million people.
In 2001, Irish voters almost wrecked EU plans to expand eastwards when they rejected the Nice treaty. It was only passed in a much-criticised second vote.
This time the No campaign was a broad coalition ranging from lobby group Libertas to Sinn Fein, the only party in parliament to oppose the treaty.
Prime Minister Brian Cowen accused the No camp of "misrepresentation", saying voters had voiced concern about "issues that clearly weren't in the treaty at all", the Irish Times reported.
Declan Ganley of the anti-treaty group Libertas said he hoped a No vote would send "a clear message to Brussels" about democracy. "The voice of the Irish people is not to be questioned," he added.
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, urged all EU states to back the treaty, which is due to come into force on 1 January 2009.
He said the reforms would strengthen the EU to meet global challenges.
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said a No vote in Ireland would spell the end of the treaty.
(BBC)
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