Sinn Fein and DUP poised for Ulster success

THE DUP and Sinn Fein were poised for a resounding success in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections, with predictions of significant losses for the Ulster Unionist Party.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th May 2011, 00:22 BST

But the results will come against the background of a record low voter turnout – which is predicted to reach a figure of 55 per cent or lower.

The election process has also been hit by slow vote counting across Northern Ireland, with the first handful of results declared 20 hours after the polls closed and 10 hours after ballot boxes were opened.

Election officials blamed the complexity of having to deal with ballot papers from the Assembly election, local council elections and the UK-wide AV referendum at the same time.

But there were clear indications of a strong showing by the DUP and Sinn Fein.