(Image source from: The Wire)

Indian-origin Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar in a campaign made an effort to lift a ban on abortions, as the country gets set to vote in a referendum on a crucial issue on Friday.

A year ago, taking charge as ‘Taoiseach’ as a major test of his leadership, Varadkar has been urging electors to ensure a high turnout in the referendum on repealing the Eight Amendment of Irish Constitution which restricts access to abortions severely.

The case of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian-origin dentist who died of blood poisoning in Ireland in October 2012 after denying a life-saving abortion is among the cases that is being highlighted by campaigners in favour of a “Yes” vote.

Halappanavar's father Andanappa Yalagi said, "I hope the people of Ireland remember my daughter Savita on the day of the referendum, and that what happened to her won't happen to any other family. I think about her every day. She didn't get the medical treatment she needed because of the eighth amendment. They must change the law.”

"I do hope we will see more people taking part in this referendum, an exercise in democracy," Varadkar said.

Politicians are permitted to campaign on a personal basis, while two other major parties of Ireland, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are not taking official positions on the referendum.

"Ultimately laws are just written in black and white, they are text in a piece of law but what has to be behind those laws is individuals, people's families and how those laws have affected them in the process," the leader of the liberal-conservative Fine Gail party said.

If Ireland votes for “yes” in a majority, Government intends to permit terminations within the initial 12 weeks, subject to medical advice and cooling-off period and in a restricted fashion between 12 and 24 weeks.

In the meantime, the hashtag #hometovote is being trending on Twitter which has been mobilized by “yes” supporters, who wish to get as many Irish voters as possible casting their vote.

By Sowmya Sangam