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Version 9 Version 10
Count under way for 2010 election Count under way for 2010 election
(10 minutes later)
Counting has begun across Northern Ireland in the 2010 General Election with the first results due by midnight. 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 until the morning because of a bomb scare at the Templemore complex. 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 Lady Sylvia Hermon will hold on to North Down with ease. 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 BallymenaTUV 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.