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Peter Casey, Gavin Duffy, Joan Freeman, Liadh Ni Riada, Michael D Higgins and Sean Gallagher are competing for the election.
Polling stations will open in the Republic of Ireland later on Friday, with voters electing their president.
Mr. Higgins is the first holder in 50 years to face a challenge in his candidacy for a second seven-year term.
The president is Ireland's "first citizen", but his power is limited – his role is mainly symbolic and he can not get involved in everyday politics.
Electors are also asked if they want to remove the offense of "blasphemy" from the constitution.
Many of them were unaware of the existence of such an offense before referring to controversial remarks by actor and writer Stephen Fry during a TEN broadcast on what he saw as God's cruelty to the police, the Garda Siochana.
But the case was dismissed when the gardai (policemen) could not find anyone offended.
The last person to be prosecuted for blasphemy dates back to 1855, when the British ruled Ireland.
In the presidential election, Mr. Higgins' rivals include:
- Liadh Ni Riada, MEP from Sinn Féin
- Senator Joan Freeman, mental health activist and founder of the Pieta House Association
- Sean Gallagher, a businessman who finished second seven years ago
- Gavin Duffy, a former broadcaster who is now working as a business man in the communications industry
- Peter Casey, a businessman born in Londonderry who made his fortune abroad
The three businessmen were all "dragons" in the Irish version of the Dragons & Den TV program.
Announcement of Dublin Castle
Polls suggest that people will vote overwhelmingly to remove references to the constitution's offense.
The measure has the support of all major parties and major Christian churches.
Residents of the islands off the coast of Donegal, Mayo and Galway have already voted in the presidential election and blasphemy referendum to ensure weather conditions will not prevent their vote. 39 be counted with the rest of the country.
Polling stations will be open from 07:00 local time to 22:00.
Counting in centers across the state will begin on Saturday morning at 9:00.
The official result, expected Saturday night, will be announced at Dublin Castle.
