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First results in Northern Ireland Assembly election First results in Northern Ireland Assembly election
(35 minutes later)
Results are flooding in as the first members of the new Northern Ireland Assembly are elected.Results are flooding in as the first members of the new Northern Ireland Assembly are elected.
Sinn Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long are among 27 confirmed seats. Sinn Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long are among 32 confirmed seats.
A total of 64.8% of the electorate voted - up 10 points on last year.A total of 64.8% of the electorate voted - up 10 points on last year.
The first big shock of the election was that long-standing SDLP assembly member Alex Attwood lost his seat in west Belfast. The first shock of the election was when Alex Attwood, SDLP, lost his west Belfast seat, the second was when Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy was eliminated in Newry & Armagh.
The election - the second in 10 months - was called after the resignation of former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness following a dispute over a botched heating scheme.The election - the second in 10 months - was called after the resignation of former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness following a dispute over a botched heating scheme.
A total of 1,254,709 people were eligible to vote for 228 candidates competing for 90 seats in 18 constituencies. The turnout was up across the board.A total of 1,254,709 people were eligible to vote for 228 candidates competing for 90 seats in 18 constituencies. The turnout was up across the board.
The final make-up of the new 90-seat Assembly is unlikely to be clear until Saturday afternoon.The final make-up of the new 90-seat Assembly is unlikely to be clear until Saturday afternoon.
We have turned the clock back with the level of voter interest in this election. The SDLP citadel of Foyle has fallen to the old enemy: Sinn Féin. For the first time, it has overtaken the SDLP in John Hume's heartland.
A turnout in the mid 60s was the norm 20 years ago. First, Elisha McCallion wiped the floor with the opposition, then former IRA hunger striker Raymond McCartney took his seat.
Was it the heat generated from RHI or the tribal campaign fought by the parties that brought the voters out? The SDLP always defended Foyle as if they owned it; now they don't.
Either way, it shows the electorate can be turned on if the right buttons are pushed. It will be disappointing for SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and his colleague Mark H Durkan, They keep their seats. But no longer can the SDLP say: "This is ours."
And could Sinn Féin now set their sights on Durkan's Westminster seat?
The snap election was called after the collapse of a coalition led by Arlene Foster's DUP and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness.The snap election was called after the collapse of a coalition led by Arlene Foster's DUP and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness.
Mr McGuinness resigned over Mrs Foster's refusal to step aside as first minister pending an inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which could cost the Northern Ireland tax payer £490m.Mr McGuinness resigned over Mrs Foster's refusal to step aside as first minister pending an inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which could cost the Northern Ireland tax payer £490m.
Under Northern Ireland's power-sharing agreement, the government must be run by Irish nationalists and unionists together.Under Northern Ireland's power-sharing agreement, the government must be run by Irish nationalists and unionists together.
This assembly election saw one significant change: The number of assembly members has been reduced from 108 to 90 which will mean each constituency returning five MLAs each and not six,This assembly election saw one significant change: The number of assembly members has been reduced from 108 to 90 which will mean each constituency returning five MLAs each and not six,
The number of MLAs has been cut in order to reduce the cost of politics. Forty-eight fewer candidates stood in this election than in May last year.The number of MLAs has been cut in order to reduce the cost of politics. Forty-eight fewer candidates stood in this election than in May last year.
Opinion polls ahead of the election indicated the DUP would lose votes but remain the largest party, followed by Sinn Féin.Opinion polls ahead of the election indicated the DUP would lose votes but remain the largest party, followed by Sinn Féin.
The largest unionist and nationalist parties after the election will have three weeks to form a power-sharing government to avoid devolved power returning to the British parliament at Westminster for the first time in a decade.The largest unionist and nationalist parties after the election will have three weeks to form a power-sharing government to avoid devolved power returning to the British parliament at Westminster for the first time in a decade.
The BBC News NI website will carry the latest election results and analysis on Friday and throughout the weekend.The BBC News NI website will carry the latest election results and analysis on Friday and throughout the weekend.
There will also be special election programmes running on BBC Radio Ulster from midday, on BBC Radio Foyle from 15:00 GMT and on BBC One Northern Ireland at 13:30 GMT.There will also be special election programmes running on BBC Radio Ulster from midday, on BBC Radio Foyle from 15:00 GMT and on BBC One Northern Ireland at 13:30 GMT.