SDLP deputy leadership ballot opens

Ballots were due to open today for the deputy leadership of Northern Ireland’s nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party.

Around 500 delegates are expected to cast their votes over the next two days for the five candidates at the SDLP’s annual conference in Newcastle, Co Down.

Stormont ministers Brid Rodgers and Sean Farren, junior minister Denis Haughey, North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness and Down District councillor Margaret Ritchie are vying to replace Seamus Mallon who will bow out from the post this weekend.

The winner of the deputy leadership contest will be announced on Sunday.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan is also poised to succeed John Hume as leader.

Mr Durkan, who was elected Deputy First Minister at Stormont on Tuesday in a controversial Assembly vote, has not been challenged for the leadership.

The 41-year-old Finance Minister will address a fringe meeting of SDLP Youth tonight but will not formally accept the leadership until the deputy leadership contest is over.

SDLP sources said the deputy leadership battle was too close to call.

‘‘The favourites would appear to be Brid Rodgers and Alban Maginness but Sean Farren has also performed well over the last six weeks,’’ one Assembly member said.

‘‘It will be tight.’’

This will be the first party conference since Sinn Fein overtook the SDLP for the first time in the battle for nationalist votes in this year’s Westminster and local government elections.

Party activists are anxious a new generation of leaders is seen to ‘‘assume the mantle of Hume and Mallon’’ to challenge Sinn Fein.

There will be tributes to Mr Hume and Mr Mallon on Saturday.

The two veteran leaders will also deliver keynote speeches.

SDLP delegates are also due to debate tonight the government’s police reforms for the first time since the party took its seats on the North's 19-member Policing Board and became the first nationalist grouping to urge its supporters to join the police service.

Delegates will also debate a motion from the party’s Lurgan branch urging the Gaelic Athletic Association to reconsider its ban on members of the police playing its sports.

As well as a keynote speech by Employment and Learning Minister Sean Farren, the party will debate tonight motions on the loyalist blockade of Catholic pupils in north Belfast, the firing of plastic bullets, the review of post-primary education, the decriminalisation of cannabis and the setting up of an independent commission to deal with flags and sectarian graffiti.