This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6433249.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

DUP27+2SF24+2SDLP11-1UUP10-4AP5+1PUP10UKUP00OTH0 After 78 of 108 electedDUP27+2SF24+2SDLP11-1UUP10-4AP5+1PUP10UKUP00OTH0 After 78 of 108 elected
Version 1 Version 2
NI voters 'giving clear message' UKUP leader loses north Down seat
(30 minutes later)
Voters in Northern Ireland have issued a clear message they want devolved government back, Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern have said in a joint statement. UK Unionist Party leader Bob McCartney has lost his North Down seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly election.
Mr McCartney, a former MP for the area, had stood in six different constituencies across Northern Ireland.
His vote in north Down was half of what he achieved in the previous election. He secured just 1806 votes and was eliminated on the seventh count.
Mr McCartney had launched what he called an "anti manifesto", refusing to be part of any administration.
He claimed it would be absurd to outline priorities for government when he would not take part in it.
Earlier, prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern said in a joint statement that voters in Northern Ireland had issued a clear message they want devolved government back.
As a second day of counting got under way, the premiers said: "Restoration of the devolved institutions represents an opportunity of historic proportions."As a second day of counting got under way, the premiers said: "Restoration of the devolved institutions represents an opportunity of historic proportions."
The DUP and Sinn Fein have taken more than half the first preference votes between them in the assembly election.The DUP and Sinn Fein have taken more than half the first preference votes between them in the assembly election.
About two thirds of the 108 seats have so far been decided.About two thirds of the 108 seats have so far been decided.
PartySeats+/-
PartySeats+/-
Results in detail Election: In quotes Lo wins for Alliance Diane Dodds edged outResults in detail Election: In quotes Lo wins for Alliance Diane Dodds edged out
The DUP got 30.1% of first preferences - up 4.4% from 2003 - while Sinn Fein got 26.2%, up 2.6%.The DUP got 30.1% of first preferences - up 4.4% from 2003 - while Sinn Fein got 26.2%, up 2.6%.
Almost 250 candidates were standing in 18 constituencies in the proportional representation election.Almost 250 candidates were standing in 18 constituencies in the proportional representation election.
The leaders of the four main parties were all returned, the DUP's Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams topping the polls in North Antrim and West Belfast respectively.The leaders of the four main parties were all returned, the DUP's Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams topping the polls in North Antrim and West Belfast respectively.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan was elected on the first count at Foyle, but UUP leader Sir Reg Empey had to wait to the third stage before being returned in East Belfast.SDLP leader Mark Durkan was elected on the first count at Foyle, but UUP leader Sir Reg Empey had to wait to the third stage before being returned in East Belfast.
In third place in first preferences, the SDLP received 15.2% of first preferences, the Ulster Unionists 14.9% and Alliance 5.2%.In third place in first preferences, the SDLP received 15.2% of first preferences, the Ulster Unionists 14.9% and Alliance 5.2%.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said it was now up to the parties to decide whether they would sign up to power sharing by the 26 March deadline.Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said it was now up to the parties to decide whether they would sign up to power sharing by the 26 March deadline.
"I have no discretion on the 26 March situation. Either there is devolution and a power sharing executive in place or it falls away," he said."I have no discretion on the 26 March situation. Either there is devolution and a power sharing executive in place or it falls away," he said.
DUP leader Ian Paisley is congratulated by his wife Eileen Alliance MLA Anna Lo is congratulated by Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams
"What would be the message to the electorate who have just said on the doorstep and in the polling station, they want their local politicians to deal with issues like water charges soon to come into place?""What would be the message to the electorate who have just said on the doorstep and in the polling station, they want their local politicians to deal with issues like water charges soon to come into place?"
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the results, so far, had been disappointing for his party, but that their aim remained a "functioning, devolved Stormont".UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the results, so far, had been disappointing for his party, but that their aim remained a "functioning, devolved Stormont".
Gerry Adams said those who voted did so to see Northern Ireland's institutions working and "those against that have their answer, it seems, in fairly overwhelming terms".Gerry Adams said those who voted did so to see Northern Ireland's institutions working and "those against that have their answer, it seems, in fairly overwhelming terms".
Ian Paisley said Sinn Fein had to "turn from their evil ways".Ian Paisley said Sinn Fein had to "turn from their evil ways".
Mark Durkan said: "We have held up our vote. Let's wait until the count is over, we will see how it stacks up."Mark Durkan said: "We have held up our vote. Let's wait until the count is over, we will see how it stacks up."
In South Belfast the first person from an ethnic minority background was elected to the assembly. Anna Lo, a member of the Chinese community, won a seat for the Alliance Party.In South Belfast the first person from an ethnic minority background was elected to the assembly. Anna Lo, a member of the Chinese community, won a seat for the Alliance Party.
The vote count is under way in all constituenciesIn picturesThe vote count is under way in all constituenciesIn pictures
In West Belfast Sinn Fein took five seats and the SDLP one, with the DUP's Diane Dodds losing her seat. PUP leader Dawn Purvis retained her party's only seat in East Belfast.In West Belfast Sinn Fein took five seats and the SDLP one, with the DUP's Diane Dodds losing her seat. PUP leader Dawn Purvis retained her party's only seat in East Belfast.
In East Antrim the area's MP, Sammy Wilson, topped the poll for the DUP with 6,755 first preference votes.In East Antrim the area's MP, Sammy Wilson, topped the poll for the DUP with 6,755 first preference votes.
In South Antrim Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin topped the poll with 6,313 votes.In South Antrim Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin topped the poll with 6,313 votes.
Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP was returned in South Belfast and Naomi Long of Alliance was elected in East Belfast.Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP was returned in South Belfast and Naomi Long of Alliance was elected in East Belfast.
In North Belfast the DUP's Nigel Dodds topped the poll with 6,973 votes and Sinn Fein policing spokesman Gerry Kelly was elected in the second spot with 5,414 votes.In North Belfast the DUP's Nigel Dodds topped the poll with 6,973 votes and Sinn Fein policing spokesman Gerry Kelly was elected in the second spot with 5,414 votes.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.
Get the latest results and live coverage by clicking on this link Vote 07 websiteGet the latest results and live coverage by clicking on this link Vote 07 website
A full results service is also available on Ceefax page 190.A full results service is also available on Ceefax page 190.