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Count under way for 2010 election | Count under way for 2010 election |
(10 minutes later) | |
The first Northern Ireland results in the 2010 General Election are expected shortly. | |
Sinn Fein's Pat Doherty looks set to be the first declared MP. He retains his West Tyrone seat. | |
In north Antrim, TUV leader Jim Allister has conceded the seat to the DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr. | |
A total of 18 seats at Westminster are being contested. It is the first time in recent years that counting is taking 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 taking place overnight in NI. |
But in Londonderry, the count has been suspended because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex. | |
Back at the counts, there are early indications that the Traditional Unionist Voice, (TUV) have not caused significant damage to the DUP vote. | |
There are also indications that Lady Sylvia Hermon will hold on to North Down with ease. | |
The former UUP MP, who is running as an independent, is said to have increased her vote. The Ulster Conservative and Unionists candidate Ian Parsley has conceded. | The former UUP MP, who is running as an independent, is said to have increased her vote. The Ulster Conservative and Unionists candidate Ian Parsley has conceded. |
On Twitter, he thanked all those who voted for him, but said it was not enough on this occasion and congratulated Lady Hermon. | On Twitter, he thanked all those who voted for him, but said it was not enough on this occasion and congratulated Lady Hermon. |
Sammy Wilson, DUP, looks set to hold his east Antrim seat. | Sammy Wilson, DUP, looks set to hold his east Antrim seat. |
DUP sources at the North Antrim count believe Ian Paisley Junior of the DUP will win the seat comfortably though the turnout may be down from 62% in 2005. | DUP sources at the North Antrim count believe Ian Paisley Junior of the DUP will win the seat comfortably though the turnout may be down from 62% in 2005. |
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%. | 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%. |
Meanwhile, an election exit poll suggests Britain is heading for a hung Parliament with David Cameron's Conservatives 21 short of a majority. | Meanwhile, an election exit poll suggests Britain is heading for a hung Parliament with David Cameron's Conservatives 21 short of a majority. |
BBC NI Political Editor Mark 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. | BBC NI Political Editor Mark 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." | "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. |
TUV leader Jim Allister at the count in Ballymena | TUV leader Jim Allister at the count in Ballymena |
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. |