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| European vote: Martina Anderson, Sinn Féin, tops poll | European vote: Martina Anderson, Sinn Féin, tops poll |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Martina Anderson, Sinn Féin, has topped the poll in the European elections for Northern Ireland. | Martina Anderson, Sinn Féin, has topped the poll in the European elections for Northern Ireland. |
| She polled 159,813 votes, beating the quota by over 3,000 votes to become the first of Northern Ireland's three MEPs. | She polled 159,813 votes, beating the quota by over 3,000 votes to become the first of Northern Ireland's three MEPs. |
| On the unionist side, the DUP's Diane Dodds came in second with 131,163 votes, about 25,000 short of the quota. | On the unionist side, the DUP's Diane Dodds came in second with 131,163 votes, about 25,000 short of the quota. |
| Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson polled 83,438 votes. It took just over nine hours for the first preference votes to be confirmed. | Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson polled 83,438 votes. It took just over nine hours for the first preference votes to be confirmed. |
| Speaking at 21:00 BST on Monday, Graham Shields, chief electoral officer, at the count in Belfast's King's Hall, said it could be another two hours before all of Martina Anderson's surplus votes were distributed. | |
| At about 23:00 BST, a call will be made about whether to continue counting or return on Tuesday and resume the count. | |
| Mr Shields said it had been a long day. But he said some people had jobs to return to on Tuesday so they would have to consider everything. Staff are being consulted. | Mr Shields said it had been a long day. But he said some people had jobs to return to on Tuesday so they would have to consider everything. Staff are being consulted. |
| He said the delays in counting the European election results "strengthen the case for electronic voting". | |
| Earlier, it was announced that Alex Attwood, SDLP, received 81,594 votes and Jim Allister, Traditional Unionist Voice, got 75,806 votes. | Earlier, it was announced that Alex Attwood, SDLP, received 81,594 votes and Jim Allister, Traditional Unionist Voice, got 75,806 votes. |
| Anna Lo, the Alliance candidate, received 44,432 votes. | Anna Lo, the Alliance candidate, received 44,432 votes. |
| Henry Reilly for UKIP received 24,584 votes; Ross Brown, standing for the Greens, got 10,598 first preference votes. and Tina McKenzie for NI21 received 10,553. | Henry Reilly for UKIP received 24,584 votes; Ross Brown, standing for the Greens, got 10,598 first preference votes. and Tina McKenzie for NI21 received 10,553. |
| Mark Brotherston for the Conservatives was eliminated at the end of the first count. He got 4,144 votes. | Mark Brotherston for the Conservatives was eliminated at the end of the first count. He got 4,144 votes. |
| Votes totalled 636,093 and the valid poll was 626,125. Turnout is just below 52%, compared to 43% in 2009. | Votes totalled 636,093 and the valid poll was 626,125. Turnout is just below 52%, compared to 43% in 2009. |
| Ten candidates have been competing for the three seats in Europe. | Ten candidates have been competing for the three seats in Europe. |
| Although voting took place last Thursday, candidates had to wait until Monday to hear the results due to the Europe-wide voting process. | Although voting took place last Thursday, candidates had to wait until Monday to hear the results due to the Europe-wide voting process. |
| BBC News Online NI is providing comprehensive coverage with live and detailed news. Link to live coverage of the European elections here. | BBC News Online NI is providing comprehensive coverage with live and detailed news. Link to live coverage of the European elections here. |
| On social media, follow @BBCNewsNI and @BBCRadioFoyle on Twitter and BBC Newsline on Facebook | On social media, follow @BBCNewsNI and @BBCRadioFoyle on Twitter and BBC Newsline on Facebook |