Political parties in Northern Ireland will finish canvassing tonight ahead of what could be one of the most significant Westminster elections for many years.
The results will be vital for two of the current party leaders, the SDLP's Mark Durkan and Ulster Unionist David Trimble, whose parties are facing strong challenges from Sinn Féin and the DUP respectively.
Earlier the deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Peter Robinson, expressed alarm at claims by Sinn Féin that republicans could emerge with the strongest vote.
Sinn Féin vice president Pat Doherty said canvass returns for the party indicated that it was a possible outcome.
Mr Robinson insisted unionists must avoid what he called the nightmare scenario of republicans speaking for Ulster after the votes are counted.
Sinn Féin is targeting SDLP seats in Foyle, Newry and Armagh, and South Down.
Party activists believe the battle between their general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin and SDLP leader Mark Durkan is tight but they are confident that they could emerge victorious.
They also believe that Conor Murphy will gain Newry and Armagh and that they will put in a strong challenge in South Down where Caitríona Ruane is taking on the SDLP's Eddie McGrady.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan insisted his party was happy that a strong vote would turn out for them, if there was a high enough number of voters, at the polling booth.
Senior Ulster Unionist Sir Reg Empey said it was clear that the DUP and Sinn Féin wanted to carve up Northern Ireland between them after the election.
The DUP and the Ulster Unionists are also engaged in a bitter battle, with Ian Paisley's party aggressively targeting five UUP seats in East Antrim, South Antrim, South Belfast, North Down and David Trimble's constituency in Upper Bann.
The DUP's hopes are high of taking the bulk of those seats but Ulster Unionists insist their vote is far more robust than some pundits and opponents are predicting.
As the campaign reached its final stage, Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday insisted Northern Ireland would remain a priority if he was re-elected.
Mr Blair said that while a political impasse existed there, there had been a lot of progress but the remaining challenges for unionists and republicans remained the same.
