Durkan launches SDLP election campaign

The SDLP has officially launched its Northern Assembly election campaign.

The nationalist party won 24 seats in the 1998 election, six more than Sinn Fein, but commentators are predicting a more closely fought contest this time around.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign today, SDLP leader Mark Durkan said his party would be operating a more disciplined vote management system in the May 29th election and would advise voters to give their transfers to pro-agreement parties.

Mr Durkan also said that nationalist voters know the SDLP is the "backbone" of the Good Friday Agreement.