Northern Ireland: A potential political dogfight for the third seat in the three-seat Northern Ireland constituency could have serious implications for the leaders of the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP.
Counting in the constituency begins in the King's Hall in Belfast this morning with initial indications pointing to the DUP's Mr Jim Allister and Sinn Féin's Ms Bairbre de Brún being returned on the first count.
The final seat, however, would appear to be in the balance. The UUP candidate Mr Jim Nicholson remains favourite to be returned for a fourth term while there is still a slim chance that the SDLP candidate, Mr Martin Morgan, could hold the seat vacated by former SDLP leader Mr John Hume.
Independent Mr John Gilliland was expected to poll best of the three other candidates. However, political sources now predict that he won't be in the running for the third seat. His transfers could have a vital bearing on whether Mr Nicholson or Mr Morgan wins the final seat.
Mr Morgan losing the SDLP seat could have implications for Mr Durkan's leadership.
Just under 52 per cent of the electorate - 554,744 - voted in the election.
