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Counting begins for 2010 election | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Counting has begun across Northern Ireland in the 2010 General Election with the first results due by midnight. | |
A total of 18 seats at Westminster are being contested. It is the first time in recent years that counting is to take place overnight in NI. | A total of 18 seats at Westminster are being contested. It is the first time in recent years that counting is to take place overnight in NI. |
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport suggests turn-out at the polls is just over 60% across Northern Ireland. | BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport suggests turn-out at the polls is just over 60% across Northern Ireland. |
But in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, where a close contest is expected, the turn-out is over 70%. | But in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, where a close contest is expected, the turn-out is over 70%. |
The results of a BBC, Sky and ITV exit poll suggest that the Conservatives could be 19 seats short of an overall majority. | The results of a BBC, Sky and ITV exit poll suggest that the Conservatives could be 19 seats short of an overall majority. |
Mr Devenport said: "What that means, if true, is that whilst the DUP on their own wouldn't be able to guarantee anyone a majority, our local MPs could certainly be in the mix. | |
"That would be either as part of a Unionist plus Scottish and Welsh nationalist group propping up the Conservatives or, alternatively, a similar rainbow coalition propping up a Lib-Lab pact." | |
Ballot papers will now be collected from 610 locations across Northern Ireland and taken to eight different counting centres. | Ballot papers will now be collected from 610 locations across Northern Ireland and taken to eight different counting centres. |
The early stages of the election in Northern Ireland were dominated by talk of unionist pacts. | The early stages of the election in Northern Ireland were dominated by talk of unionist pacts. |
In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the unionists decided on one candidate - who is standing as an independent - Rodney Connor. | In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the unionists decided on one candidate - who is standing as an independent - Rodney Connor. |
He will be taking on Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew, the agriculture minister. | He will be taking on Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew, the agriculture minister. |
In South Belfast, there was also talk of a unionist pact to take the seat from Dr Alasdair McDonnell, SDLP. | In South Belfast, there was also talk of a unionist pact to take the seat from Dr Alasdair McDonnell, SDLP. |
This did not happen. But Alex Maskey of Sinn Fein decided to withdraw. | This did not happen. But Alex Maskey of Sinn Fein decided to withdraw. |
Later, David Cameron's comments about the size of Northern Ireland's public sector and the need to grow a bigger private sector sparked fears of deep public sector job cuts, should the Conservatives get into power. | Later, David Cameron's comments about the size of Northern Ireland's public sector and the need to grow a bigger private sector sparked fears of deep public sector job cuts, should the Conservatives get into power. |
The Conservative leader denied that this was the case and flew into Northern Ireland to underline that. | The Conservative leader denied that this was the case and flew into Northern Ireland to underline that. |
In recent days, there has been speculation about whether the DUP will have powerful leverage in helping the Tory party form a government. | In recent days, there has been speculation about whether the DUP will have powerful leverage in helping the Tory party form a government. |
BBC NI will be live at every count, providing results coverage for BBC TV and radio and for the election website. | BBC NI will be live at every count, providing results coverage for BBC TV and radio and for the election website. |
The BBC News website will be updated constantly throughout the night and through Friday with the latest developments. | The BBC News website will be updated constantly throughout the night and through Friday with the latest developments. |