Counting of votes in the Northern Ireland Assembly is now underway.
The polls closed at 10 o'clock last night and although turnout was down on the last vote in 2017 it's still expected this election will provide an historic result.
According to opinion polls, Sinn Fein is on course to become the largest party in the north for the first time and will get to nominate a First Minister.
Counting about to get underway in the Stormont Assembly elections. Updates from Belfast throughout the day pic.twitter.com/eLmHb4fLac
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) May 6, 2022
The Alliance party is also expected to secure a large number of Assembly seats however the DUP's vote is likely to be reduced.
Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis is appealing to all parties to work together once the votes are counted.
Everybody who has taken part in these elections should respect the results of the elections and get making decisions that will push Northern Ireland forward
