Six counts in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections have now adjourned and will resume at 9am tomorrow.
The counts in Ballymena (Mid Ulster and North Antrim) are to continue to a finish tonight.
One constituency, Newry & South Armagh, has completed its count.
The current state of the parties is Sinn Féin 20 seats, DUP 18, Ulster Unionists 4, SDLP 3 and Alliance 2.
DUP MLA for Belfast North Nigel Dodds said his party has been ready for government for a long time and that it was Sinn Féin who had dragged their feet on issues like policing.
He claimed that fissures were opening up beween Sinn Féin spokespersons on the policing issue.
Mr Dodds said his own party had received an important mandate from the Unionist community who were saying his party had got the strategy right.
He claimed the future of the North was now not about deadlines but about having conditions right.
More election headlines, constituency by constituency
Leaders watch counts
The counts are being closely watched by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and Mr Blair and could determine if Northern Ireland will witness the return of a power-sharing administration by the end of this month.
The turnout is reported to have been above 2003 levels in some areas, although it was lower in others.
The Irish and British governments hope the outcome of this contest will lead to the restoration of devolved government at Stormont by 26 March.
Last attempt at 1998 model
250 candidates are contesting the 108 Assembly seats in what is the third Assembly election since the Good Friday Agreement was negotiated and signed almost nine years ago.
The election is likely to be the final attempt to establish the 'grand coalition' power-sharing model set out in the 1998 agreement.
The British government is adamant that if a government cannot be formed by 26 March, then Stormont will close and the void will be filled by a form of direct rule from Westminster, with more co-operation between Dublin and London.
The largest unionist and nationalist parties will be entitled to the first minister and deputy first minister jobs. Based on the number of seats won, the ten ministerial positions will be shared out.
Vote transfers will be critical in deciding the final seats in many of the constituencies. Most counts will be over tonight.
