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| Poll turnout 'lowest in years' | |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The first figures for the European election on Thursday indicate the turnout could be about 42%. | |
| Initial tallies point to a drop in the numbers voting in the last Euro poll - which was 51.72% - this year's figures are as low as 34% in some areas. | |
| Figures are emerging from the King's Hall in Belfast as the votes are verified ahead of the counting process. | Figures are emerging from the King's Hall in Belfast as the votes are verified ahead of the counting process. |
| Some anecdotal accounts have suggested weaker polling in unionist and working class areas. | Some anecdotal accounts have suggested weaker polling in unionist and working class areas. |
| BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "The turnout looks to be the lowest in recent times, probably around 42%." | |
| The verification process suggests the following turnouts: | The verification process suggests the following turnouts: |
| • Lagan Valley 38.86% | • Lagan Valley 38.86% |
| • South Belfast 42.1 % | • South Belfast 42.1 % |
| • East Belfast 38.82% | • East Belfast 38.82% |
| • North Belfast 40.98% | • North Belfast 40.98% |
| • West Belfast 46.6 % | • West Belfast 46.6 % |
| • South Down 44.97% | • South Down 44.97% |
| • North Down 34.48% | • North Down 34.48% |
| • Mid Ulster 52.83%. | • Mid Ulster 52.83%. |
| • Newry and Armagh 43.7% | • Newry and Armagh 43.7% |
| • East Antrim 34.53% | • East Antrim 34.53% |
| • South Antrim 38.03% | • South Antrim 38.03% |
| • Strangford 34.24% | • Strangford 34.24% |
| Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay said he had been told the North Antrim turnout is 43.17%. | Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay said he had been told the North Antrim turnout is 43.17%. |
| However, the seven candidates will not know their fate until Monday as the count is being delayed until after all the European union member states have completed their voting. | However, the seven candidates will not know their fate until Monday as the count is being delayed until after all the European union member states have completed their voting. |
| Meanwhile, polling stations in the Republic of Ireland are open for voting in the European, local and by-elections. | Meanwhile, polling stations in the Republic of Ireland are open for voting in the European, local and by-elections. |