The President, Mrs McAleese, yesterday formally nominated herself as a candidate for re-election.
Nomination papers were submitted to the presidential returning officer at the Department of the Environment.
Mrs McAleese's campaign team said this form of nomination was in accordance with Article 12.4.4 of the Constitution, namely: "Former or retiring Presidents may become candidates on their own nomination."
Both the former Independent MEP, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, and the heritage campaigner Mr Vincent Salafia, are still seeking the requisite political support to allow them enter the presidential race.
To stand against Mrs McAleese, a candidate requires the support of 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities. The closing date for nominations is next Friday, October 1st.
If it proves to be necessary, the election will be held on Friday, October 22nd. Mrs McAleese will be in Laois, Kildare, Wicklow and Carlow next week attending, among other things, the National Ploughing Championships at Tullow.
