Northern Eire Meeting election outcomes put Sinn Fein first with most first-preference votes

Sinn Fein is on target for its finest ever lead to a Northern Eire Meeting election after receiving essentially the most first-preference votes.

With counting for the 90 Stormont seats persevering with late into Friday the republican get together had gained 16 seats, nicely forward of the Alliance on 4 and the DUP and UUP on three.

Sinn Fein acquired 250,388 first preferences, in contrast with the 184,002 returned for the DUP and 116,681 for the Alliance Get together.

The get together’s vp Michelle O’Neill was elected on the primary depend in Mid Ulster, with Alliance chief Naomi Lengthy topping the ballot in East Belfast.

DUP chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was elected on the primary depend in Lagan Valley. He mentioned he was delighted together with his get together’s efficiency there.

“I believe it’ll be very tight on the finish as to who will emerge as the biggest get together,” he mentioned.

“One of many key messages for me is that unionism merely can’t afford the divisions that exist.”

Ms O’Neill was surrounded by get together colleagues and supporters because the consequence was introduced within the Magherafelt depend centre. She acquired 10,845 first choice votes and the consequence was greeted by massive cheers within the depend centre.

She mentioned that Sinn Fein needed to “collectively work in partnership with others”.

The primary MLA elected to the Stormont Meeting declared an Alliance Get together surge. Kellie Armstrong was elected for the Strangford constituency on the primary stage of the depend with 7,015 votes.

Congratulated by Alliance chief Naomi Lengthy, Ms Armstrong mentioned it was the beginning of a surge for the get together within the Meeting elections. “I’m completely delighted,” Ms Armstrong mentioned. “I’ve held again utilizing the phrase surge till now however I believe I’m feeling it now. I’m completely delighted to prime the ballot.”

Counting is about to proceed into Saturday.

DUP MP Sammy Wilson warned earlier that his get together wouldn’t re-enter the Govt with out authorities motion over the protocol.

“If there’s no laws within the Queen’s Speech and no plans to cope with the protocol then we’ve made it very clear the meeting can’t perform if the poison of the protocol continues to be there,” he mentioned.

However Sinn Fein MP John Finucane mentioned folks have been extra involved about bread-and-butter points. He mentioned: “I consider the DUP in the course of the marketing campaign outlined a five-point plan as to how they have been going to develop our economic system, repair our well being service and assist working households. I don’t see how that’s attainable with out an government.”