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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Candidates handing in poll forms | Candidates handing in poll forms |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Candidates in next month's assembly election have been handing in their nomination forms at eight centres across Northern Ireland. | Candidates in next month's assembly election have been handing in their nomination forms at eight centres across Northern Ireland. |
| Nominations close on Tuesday for the 7 March poll which the government hopes will set the scene for a return to devolution. | Nominations close on Tuesday for the 7 March poll which the government hopes will set the scene for a return to devolution. |
| Nomination papers are being handed over in Belfast, Londonderry, Ballymena, Glengormley, Banbridge and Omagh. | Nomination papers are being handed over in Belfast, Londonderry, Ballymena, Glengormley, Banbridge and Omagh. |
| Each candidate has to pay a £150 deposit. | Each candidate has to pay a £150 deposit. |
| After DUP candidates handed in their nomination papers in Belfast, party leader Ian Paisley expressed concern about renewed reports that on-the-run paramilitaries could get an amnesty. | |
| "If they do that, the whole thing is over, they have destroyed everything," said Mr Paisley. | |
| But Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams played the reports down. | |
| "There has never been any issue from our point of view about an amnesty," he said. | |
| Northern Ireland is going to the polls on 7 March | |
| Alex Attwood of the SDLP said on-the-runs must "not now be allowed to walk because the British government and Sinn Fein says it's in the public interest so to do." | |
| The Ulster Unionists made it clear that if a devolved government is formed they will not be in opposition. | |
| Party leader Sir Reg Empey said: "Our objective is to form an executive; we will take our places in that executive. Who joins that executive is a matter for them." | |
| In the 2003 assembly election, more than 250 candidates competed for the 108 seats available at Stormont. | In the 2003 assembly election, more than 250 candidates competed for the 108 seats available at Stormont. |
| However, a number of familiar political faces will not be contesting the election this time around. | However, a number of familiar political faces will not be contesting the election this time around. |
| Foreign nationals | |
| David Trimble and John Taylor, now Lord Trimble and Lord Kilclooney respectively, will not be standing. | David Trimble and John Taylor, now Lord Trimble and Lord Kilclooney respectively, will not be standing. |
| The SDLP's Sean Farren, a former minister in the assembly, has retired from active politics as has the Alliance Party's Seamus Close. | The SDLP's Sean Farren, a former minister in the assembly, has retired from active politics as has the Alliance Party's Seamus Close. |
| Meanwhile, 25 different nationalities have registered to vote in the election. | |
| Nearly 2,000 Poles have signed the electoral register, as well as 900 Portuguese, and nearly 800 Lithuanians. | Nearly 2,000 Poles have signed the electoral register, as well as 900 Portuguese, and nearly 800 Lithuanians. |
| It is thought more than 6,000 foreign nationals may vote when Northern Ireland goes to the polls on 7 March. | It is thought more than 6,000 foreign nationals may vote when Northern Ireland goes to the polls on 7 March. |
| On 26 March, a power-sharing executive is scheduled to be formed. | On 26 March, a power-sharing executive is scheduled to be formed. |