Four million compensation for postponed NI election

The British government has set aside £4m (€5.6m) to compensate parties in Northern Ireland for the postponement of Assembly elections, it was confirmed today.

Political parties in the North were today beginning the task of applying for compensation for costs incurred before Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair postponed the election four days into the campaign.

Voters in Northern Ireland were planning to go to the polls on May 29.

The election was called off, however, after Mr Blair felt it would not be possible to restore the power-sharing executive at Stormont.

Party political broadcasts were aired in the North before the British government postponed the election indefinitely.

The Electoral Commission in Northern Ireland today expected to invite parties to discuss how costs would be recouped.

The money has been set aside following the passing of legislation in Westminster last week enabling Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy to set the date of the election at a time of his choosing.

Seamus Magee of the Electoral Commission said parties would be entitled to compensation for a range of expenses.

These included “party political broadcasts, the preparation of manifestos, market research”.

“Obviously, we are not sure what the exact figure for compensation will be but going on previous elections and plans for previous elections it could be a quite substantial sum.”

Mr Magee said the Commission would also look at whether some of the material commissioned by parties but not used during the four days of campaigning could be used, if the Assembly election were to take place in the autumn.