Assembly Election results

Follow all news with our team at each of the count centres

  • 5/6/2022 12:38:54 PM
    Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Assembly election count. Our team of reporters will bring you the latest news and reaction from each count centre as it happens. There are 239 candidates running for 90 seats across 18 constituencies. The first seats are expected to be returned this afternoon but counting is set to continue into the early hours of Saturday. We will bring you all the news as it happens.
  • 5/6/2022 12:42:24 PM
    Counting is taking place at centres in Belfast, Jordanstown and Magherafelt and initial indications are that turnout is unlikely to exceed 2017.    An indicative voter turnout of around 54 per cent was given by the Electoral Office on Thursdayn evening.
  • 5/6/2022 12:48:06 PM

    Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill (centre left) arrives at the count centre at Meadowbank Sports arena in Magherafelt this afternoon. Photograph: PA

  • 5/6/2022 12:50:54 PM
    An update from our Northern Editor Freya McClements who reports that the first turnout figures are starting to come in from the count centres. "Last night indicative figures from the North’s Electoral Office at 9pm – with an hour of voting still to go – estimated an average turnout of 54 per cent. So far we have the numbers from five constituencies – turnout in Belfast North is at 61.74 per cent, Belfast South 64.36 per cent, Strangford 58.42 per cent, East Antrim 60.11 and North Down 60.13. This is down from the last Assembly election in 2017, when the average turnout across Northern Ireland was 65 per cent."
  • 5/6/2022 12:52:00 PM
    She also notes that early indications are of an Alliance Party “surge”.
    While no results have been declared yet but it is understood the party is confident of gaining a second seat in North Down, potentially at the expense of the Green Party. It could also be in the running for a second seat in South Belfast, again at the expense of the Greens.
    This could wipe out the Greens’ representation in the Assembly unless it makes gains elsewhere.
  • 5/6/2022 1:01:08 PM
  • 5/6/2022 1:11:10 PM
    The Irish Times will be bringing readers all the latest news and reaction from each count centre as it happens with our Northern editor Freya McClements at the Titanic count centre, alongside Gerry Moriarty and Peter Murtagh.
    Our Northern correspondent  Seanín Graham is at Jordanstown count centre while Brian Hutton is at Magherafelt. 
  • 5/6/2022 1:12:29 PM
  • 5/6/2022 1:16:39 PM
    Our Northern Editor Freya McClements says they are still awaiting the first results at the Titanic count centre in Belfast and that Sinn Féin and Alliance are "confident". 
  • 5/6/2022 1:21:03 PM
    Our Northern Editor Freya McClements reports that in Mid Ulster turnout was 69.54 per cent, 68.49 per cent in Newry and Armagh and 66.19 per cent in South Down.
    Meanwhile, Sinn Féin is confident it will retain its four seats in west Belfast and is on course to take the largest number of seats and therefore the position of First Minister.
    It’s been pointed out many times before over the course of this election campaign that would be a symbolic victory only, as the positions of first and deputy first minister are a joint office with the two roles regarded as ‘first among equals’; that said, this would be the first time a nationalist has ever held the top job in Northern Ireland’s history, and as such it would inevitably be hugely significant. 
  • 5/6/2022 1:31:51 PM
    As our Northern correspondent Seanín Graham outlined in her piece earlier this week, there are 239 candidates in the running for 90 Assembly seats across 18 constituencies. Each constituency has five seats.
    A record number of women candidates are standing in this year’s election, with 87 running for seats.
    The full piece on everything you need to know about the Northern Ireland Assembly election can be found here 

    NI Assembly election: Everything you need to know

    The Irish TimesMost important vote in a generation this week with potential for history to be made
  • 5/6/2022 1:39:18 PM

    The Irish Times view on the Northern Ireland Assembly election: A changing landscape

    The Irish TimesFor 20 years, tectonic plates in Northern Ireland have been shifting underfoot
  • 5/6/2022 1:40:17 PM
  • 5/6/2022 1:50:35 PM
    First candidate elected is Alliance’s Kellie Armstrong in Strangford - makes the quota and tops the poll with 7,015 first preferences, reports our Northern Editor Freya McClements
  • 5/6/2022 1:51:53 PM
  • 5/6/2022 1:56:02 PM
    It's already looking like it could be a disappointing day for the SDLP. Claire Hanna said this morning it was not looking particularly well for the party but the extent of its losses will be determined by close battles for the final seat. 
  • 5/6/2022 2:01:46 PM
  • 5/6/2022 2:09:56 PM
    Our reporter Brian Hutton says that Sinn Féin reckon 25-year-old Pádraig Delargy is on course to top the poll in Foyle. 
  • 5/6/2022 2:13:20 PM

    ► VIDEO: 'This is a make or break election for Northern Ireland'

    As counting continues in Belfast count centre Sinn Féin are quietly confident of making big gains. Video: Enda ODowd
  • 5/6/2022 2:16:01 PM
    Edwin Poots tells BBC Radio even if the DUP topped the polls and won this election, there is no basis for forming a government at Stormont because the Protocol remains unchanged.
  • 5/6/2022 2:19:34 PM
    Our Northern Editor Freya McClements, reporting from the Titanic count centre in Belfast, says results are coming in "thick and fast" with Gerry Kelly and Caral Ní Chuilin (SF) elected on the first count in north Belfast, Danny Baker (SF) elected in west Belfast.
  • 5/6/2022 2:20:45 PM
  • 5/6/2022 2:25:53 PM
    Michelle O'Neill has been elected with 10,845 first preferences
  • 5/6/2022 2:26:27 PM
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  • 5/6/2022 2:38:48 PM
    The predictions for the Alliance ahead of polling ranged from eight to 13 seats. It's looking like the party could top it. It seems to be taking most of its votes from the other more moderate parties - the Greens, the SDLP and UUP. Two MLAs elected already on first counts, Naomi Long in Strangford and Kellie Armstrong in Strangford, both with increased first preferences.
  • 5/6/2022 2:48:57 PM
  • 5/6/2022 2:51:54 PM
  • 5/6/2022 2:52:31 PM
    From Gerry Moriarty:
    Gerry Moriarty
    From Belfast count centre
    Good start for Sinn Fein, as first counts start coming in. Veteran republican Gerry Kelly elected on first count in North Belfast along with another experienced campaign Caral Ni Chuilin. In West Belfast Danny Baker returned on first count.
    In East Belfast Naomi Long, leader of Alliance which is primed to have a very good election, topped the poll with 8,195 votes and was duly elected. 
    Joanne Bunting of DUP, also was returned in this constituency with 7,253 votes, 44 votes over the quota.
  • 5/6/2022 2:58:14 PM
    Gerry Moriarty writes:
    In South Belfast Deirdre Hargey, outgoing communities Minister in Northern Executive, elected on first count. 
    DUP agriculture Minister Edwin Poots, just over 600 votes shy of the quota of 7,824 looks set to be returned after shifting from Lagan Valley constituency to South Belfast. 
  • 5/6/2022 3:05:08 PM
  • 5/6/2022 3:07:44 PM
  • 5/6/2022 3:23:05 PM
  • 5/6/2022 3:24:42 PM
    Brian Hutton reports:
    SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has admitted “a lot” of his party’s voters have defected to Sinn Féin in the battle for a nationalist First Minister at Stormont. 
    Speaking at the Magheraflet count centre, in Co Derry, Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said the SDLP was facing “big trouble” in a number of key constituencies in the North’s Assembly elections. 
    And, he accepted the party's deputy leader and Stormont Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s political future looks in doubt.    
    “In the last couple of days the First Minister issue really crystallised with people,” he told The Irish Times. 
    “They just didn’t like being told by (DUP leader) Jeffrey Donaldson that a nationalist couldn’t be First Minister. So, they went out and they voted for Sinn Féin in big numbers.”
    Mr Eastwood said a lot of Sinn Féin’s strong polling was down to the party’s “good solid vote” but that “a lot of our people went that way.”
    “It has just left us in a squeeze in a lot of places. There are a few seats where we are in big trouble.”
    As well as Ms Mallon’s North Belfast, Mr Eastwood said the party were facing scraps to retain seats in Upper Bann, where Dolores Kelly is the incumbent MLA, and what was traditionally one of the party’s strongholds, South Down. 
    While insisting Ms Mallon remained “in the fight” for her Assembly seat,  he accepted “it is going to be tough.” 
    “I think it would be a desperate loss (if Ms Mallon loses her seat), if it happens, for the people of North Belfast. 
    "Because there is no better champion for North Belfast than Nichola Mallon. 
    “We heard through the campaign that her seat was safe, and other parties were telling people that her seat was safe. But if you want someone you have to vote for them, that is the problem.”
  • 5/6/2022 3:27:19 PM
  • 5/6/2022 3:34:10 PM
  • 5/6/2022 3:39:18 PM
  • 5/6/2022 4:01:28 PM

    Jeffrey Donaldson say "all to play for" in NI Assembly election

    Seanín Graham, Northern Corresondent reports:

    DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been elected as MLA for Lagan Valley following the first count – but has refused to say whether he will return to Stormont.
    Speaking after the result, he insisted it was “all to play for” in terms of the final result.
    He secured 12,626 votes and said one of the messages from the election was that a “divided unionism does not win votes”.
    When asked if he will return to the Assembly, he said: “Let’s see what final outcome is. 
    “There is all to play for. The DUP is very much in the game at the moment. I have made it clear we need the government to take decisive action on the protocol. Words are not enough.”
    He added: “In terms of the overall picture it is much too early to say what the final outcome might be.
    “I think it is going to be very tight at the end as to who will emerge as the largest party.”
    Mr Donaldson’s running mate is former first minister Paul Givan, who collapsed the executive in February after he resigned in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
    The DUP leader said he was looking forward to Mr Givan being elected later once his votes had been transferred.
  • 5/6/2022 4:17:08 PM

    Could Sinn Féin win 28 seats?

    Sinn Fein could make a gain in the East Derry constituency at the expense of the SDLP, giving it a grand total of 28. The quota is 7,394 and after the first count, Caoimhe Archibald is only 500 votes shy of it, standing at 6,868. Her SF colleague Kathleen McGurk (4,500) has outpolled Cara Hunter of the SDLP, who has 3,664. It olliks like three Unionist Candidates will take seats, two from the DUP as well as as Independent Unionist Claire Sugden (who is at 3,981).

    There is also an Alliance candidate Chris McCaw, who is only 300 votes behind the SDLP's Hunter. 

    It will still be a hard ask for Sinn Féin - McGurk won't attract many transfers and her colleague Archibald will also be seeking transfers to get her to the quote. There is a raft of, independent, Green, People Before Profit, Aontú and centrist unionists who have over 5,000 votes between them. 

    The distribution of their transfers will be crucial in determining the outcome. The final MLA will be elected without reaching the quota and could be any of those three candidates. 

  • 5/6/2022 4:18:40 PM

    Strong showing for Sinn Féin in South Down

    Gerry Moriarty writes from Belfast count centre:

    In South Down Sinn Fein continues its forward thrust. Sinead Ennis tops the poll with 14,381 votes, more than 5,000 over quota of 9,159. SF’s Cathy Mason also comfortably elected with 9,963 votes. 
    Following row over who should represent the DUP – outgoing MLA Jim Wells who failed to get the nomination to run or Diane Forsythe who was nominated – Ms Forsythe on 6,082 votes in good position to be elected.
  • 5/6/2022 4:20:25 PM
  • 5/6/2022 4:21:45 PM
  • 5/6/2022 4:23:05 PM
  • 5/6/2022 4:34:20 PM
    UUP leader Douglas Beattie now speaking on RTE and saying it's very early days in Upper Bann and is not accepting his seat in danger. 
    Also saying he will not resign as leader if its a bad day for the party. 
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