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Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt is to resign Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt is to resign
(35 minutes later)
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt is to resign - the first major casualty of the Northern Ireland Assembly election.Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt is to resign - the first major casualty of the Northern Ireland Assembly election.
"The buck stops here," he said, announcing his decision as the count continued and shortly after he won his seat at the Strangford count."The buck stops here," he said, announcing his decision as the count continued and shortly after he won his seat at the Strangford count.
Sinn Féin has increased its vote in the poll, while the DUP has largely held its place.Sinn Féin has increased its vote in the poll, while the DUP has largely held its place.
Mr Nesbitt said the electorate had rejected his message and he had to take responsibility for what happened.Mr Nesbitt said the electorate had rejected his message and he had to take responsibility for what happened.
The turnout for the election is the highest since the vote which followed the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. A total of 64.8% of the electorate voted - up 10 points on last year - beating the 2003 figure by 0.8%.The turnout for the election is the highest since the vote which followed the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. A total of 64.8% of the electorate voted - up 10 points on last year - beating the 2003 figure by 0.8%.
So far 53 out of 90 seats have been confirmed. So far 59 out of 90 seats have been confirmed.
Former First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster, Sinn Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and the Ulster Unionist leader are among those elected.Former First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster, Sinn Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and the Ulster Unionist leader are among those elected.
There was shock when two former ministers - one from the nationalist SDLP and the other from the Ulster Unionist party - lost their seats. There was shock when four former ministers - two from the DUP, one from the SDLP and one from the Ulster Unionist party - lost their seats.
The first big shock came when Alex Attwood, SDLP, lost his seat in Belfast West. The second was when Danny Kennedy, UUP, was eliminated in Newry & Armagh. Later, Nelson McCausland, DUP, lost his seat in Belfast North and DUP party chairman Lord Morrow lost his in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. The first big shock came when Alex Attwood, SDLP, lost his seat in Belfast West. The second was when Danny Kennedy, UUP, was eliminated in Newry & Armagh.
Later, Nelson McCausland, DUP, lost his seat in Belfast North and DUP party chairman Lord Morrow lost his seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
The SDLP suffered a body blow in Foyle - the traditional heartland of the party and former seat of its founder John Hume. Sinn Féin came home first and second in the count, leaving the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Mark H Durkan trailing in their wake.The SDLP suffered a body blow in Foyle - the traditional heartland of the party and former seat of its founder John Hume. Sinn Féin came home first and second in the count, leaving the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Mark H Durkan trailing in their wake.
After Mr Attwood lost his seat, the party, which once held sway in west Belfast, now no longer has a presence there.After Mr Attwood lost his seat, the party, which once held sway in west Belfast, now no longer has a presence there.
The election - the second in 10 months - was called after the collapse of a coalition led by Arlene Foster's DUP and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness.The election - the second in 10 months - 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.
Former DUP Minister Jonathan Bell who was suspended from the party for allegedly speaking to the press without permission over the RHI scandal, has also lost his seat.Former DUP Minister Jonathan Bell who was suspended from the party for allegedly speaking to the press without permission over the RHI scandal, has also lost his seat.
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.
DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said his party had held up well in the wake of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) debacle. Arlene Foster was the right person to lead the DUP, he said.DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said his party had held up well in the wake of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) debacle. Arlene Foster was the right person to lead the DUP, he said.
"Despite the torrents of abuse and smears and innuendo that was levelled against her, the people are sticking with her.""Despite the torrents of abuse and smears and innuendo that was levelled against her, the people are sticking with her."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Sinn Féin were the "net beneficiaries" of a huge nationalist turnout intent on punishing Mrs Foster.SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Sinn Féin were the "net beneficiaries" of a huge nationalist turnout intent on punishing Mrs Foster.
"Those of us in the middle have been clearly squeezed," he said."Those of us in the middle have been clearly squeezed," he said.
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.
Among the smaller parties, Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Alliance, kept his Belfast West seat. However, his running mate Michael Collins was eliminated on the first count.Among the smaller parties, Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Alliance, kept his Belfast West seat. However, his running mate Michael Collins was eliminated on the first count.
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.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.
First, Elisha McCallion wiped the floor with the opposition, then former IRA hunger striker Raymond McCartney took his seat.First, Elisha McCallion wiped the floor with the opposition, then former IRA hunger striker Raymond McCartney took his seat.
The SDLP always defended Foyle as if they owned it; now they don't.The SDLP always defended Foyle as if they owned it; now they don't.
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."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?And could Sinn Féin now set their sights on Durkan's Westminster seat?
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.
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.