Results so far in the North elections reveal a strong performance by the Democratic Unionists, while SF seems set to overtake the SDLP as the main nationalist party.
The first preference vote share from 18 constituencies is as follows:DUP 25.7%, up 7.6%: SF 23.5%, up 5.9%; UUP 22.7%, up 1.4%; SDLP 17%, down 5%.
So far 48 seats have been filled in the 108-seat assembly.
Of these 20 go to the Democratic Unionists, 12 to the Ulster Unionists, 11 to Sinn Fein, two to the SDLP , one to the PUP, one to the Alliance Party and one Independent.
The Ulster Unionists elected are: David Trimble, Sir Reg Empey, Michael McGimpsey, the Reverend Robert Coulter, David Kennedy, David Burnside, Roy Beggs, David McClarty, Michael Copeland, Lord Kilcooney, Thomas Elliot and dissident Jeffrey Donaldson, who topped the poll in Lagan Valley.
For the DUP:Ian Paisley and his son Ian Paisley Junior, Reverend William McCrea, Jim Wells, Nigel Dodds, Peter Robinson, Gregory Campbell, Nelson McCausland, Paul Berry, Sammy Wilson Clyde, Robin Newton, Iris Robinson, Edwin Poots, Sammy Wilson, Mervin Storey, David Simpson, Diane Dodds, Jim Shannon and George Ennis.
Sinn Féin's elected MLAs so far are: Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Gerry Kelly, Conor Murphy, Pat Doherty, Francie Molloy, Michael Ferguson, Mitchel McLaughlin, Bairbre de Brun and Fra McCann.
For the SDLP, party leader, Mark Durkan and Alex Atwood have been elected.
David Irvine of the Progressive Unionist Party was also elected, as was Naomi Long of the Alliance Party.
Dr Kieran Deeny, a single issue hospital candidate, was also elected in West Tyrone.
Five sitting MLAs lose seats
So far five former MLAs have failed to be re-elected to the new Assembly.
Unsurprisingly, the SDLP have suffered the largest loss.
Both Dr Joe Hendron (West Belfast) and John Fee (Newry and South Armagh) have both lost their seats. Sinn Fein's Sue Ramsey (Belfast West) also lost out.
On the Unionist side, Pauline Armitage of the UKUP and Norman Boyd from the NIUP have also failed to be re-elected.
Last seats in each constituency crucial
In all 18 constituencies the battle for the sixth and last seat will be crucial and will help to decide the final shape of any future Assembly.
Indications are that the smaller parties' candidates will face an uphill battle to retain seats. Voter turnout is estimated to be around 6% down on the last Assembly poll in 1998.
Results tomorrow will help to decide whether the DUP will draw level with or possibly overtake the UUP in terms of seats, who won 28 five years ago.
Sinn Féin, who have made significant gains could expect to win a total of either 25 or 26 seats, based on the current state of the count, with the SDLP possibly ending up with 20 or less.
The final election result is expected tomorrow.
Full results available on www.rte.ie/news/assembly2003 & Aertel p.750.
