Northern Ireland: record low voter turn out expected
A low turnout and a late count are the order of the day in Northern Ireland. Carl Dinnen writes on the “bread and butter” election – but have many people voted?
First Minister Peter Robinson called this “a bread and butter” election where normal issues, jobs, education, health, would dominate.
But perhaps the electorate are missing their jam; turnout looks like it’s in the low fifties, down from 62.3 per cent last time.
With the AV referendum, local council elections and the assembly election all being counted at the same time it took a long time to get going.
In Belfast’s Kings Hall, where I am, the main count for West Belfast didn’t get going until 6pm. Final results will be Saturday at least.
The UUP are rumoured to have taken a battering in the assembly elections with the DUP the main beneficiary of that. Sinn Fein look pleased with themselves and the SDLP a little concerned.
Interestingly the cross community Alliance Party look like they’ve done very well at this election. A glimpse of the future? Maybe. But for now Ulster says ‘So’?
Turnout in recent years
1998 - 69.9 per cent turnout
2003 - 63.9 per cent turnout
2007 - 62.3 per cent turnout
2011 - 55 per cent or lower?