Voters expected to join evening poll rush

Voters were this evening expected to rush to the polls in Northern Ireland after the Assembly Election got off to a sluggish start.

Reports from the North's 18 constituencies suggested polling was steady in some areas and slow in others as 256 candidates vied for 108 Stormont seats.

Most of the parties were focusing on tonight’s crucial 4.30pm to 9pm period, when there is traditionally a rush to the polls by people returning from work.

An Ulster Unionist spokesman said: “Polling does seem to be patchy but that may be a reflection of the wintry weather.

“I’m hearing in parts of Belfast there has been a steady stream of voters in some areas.

“However, in East Antrim, South Antrim and parts of North Antrim, it seems to be quite slow.”

In North Down, Ulster Unionists were encouraged by turnout in some parts of the constituency with up to 25% turnout in the Glencraig area near Cultra.

In Derry, Sinn Féin said voting was beginning to pick up after a slow start.

After casting his vote in West Belfast, party leader Gerry Adams assessed canvass reports from across the North before embarking on a tour of Belfast to get the republican vote out.

The nationalist SDLP, whose leader Mark Durkan was touring all 18 six-seater constituencies, were reporting “a steady flow of voters”.

A spokesman said: “Nobody seems to be reporting any great drop in turnout.

“It seems to be following the same pattern as the Westminster Election. We are all expecting the usual rush to the polls at around 4.30pm, with that lasting five hours.”

Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley cast his vote in east Belfast while his main rival, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, voted in Lagan Valley before canvassing in his Upper Bann constituency.

There were reports from some parties of voters turning up to polling stations without the proper form of photographic identification.

Others were turned away after learning they were not on the electoral register.

With voters required to produce the right photographic identification – a passport, senior citizens’ travel card, driver’s licence or electoral identity card – a DUP source said: “There does seem to be problems, as expected.

“Some people thought all they needed was a medical card and they are being told they can’t vote unless they have photo ID.

“Others have turned up having signed registration forms recently, thinking that means they are on the register for this election.

“The registration for the Assembly Election took place last year.

“The recent registration drive was for next year’s European Elections.”

There had been fears earlier in the day that the winter weather, which brought sleet and rain to western constituencies like Foyle and Fermanagh and South Tyrone, would drive voters away.

With voters likely to face queues outside polling stations tonight, some parties were concerned that they could be put off by the weather.

Candidates were also worried that tonight’s Champions League soccer games involving Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers would also act as deterrent.

Polling stations were closing at 10pm.

First results will be known tomorrow afternoon.