Paisley battles media scrum to cast vote

Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley today had to battle his way through a media scrum to cast his vote in the North’s Assembly Election.

The North Antrim MP was faced by a wall of photographers as he arrived at Elm Grove Primary School on Belfast’s Beersbridge Road to cast his ballot with his wife Eileen.

Mr Paisley’s DUP are hoping to remain the largest party in the Assembly.

There was jostling among photographers from around the world as they tried to capture images of the DUP leader as he arrived and when he left the polling station.

Turnout across the 18 constituencies around the North was believed to be slow – following the usual trends for elections in the province.

“There has been a steady flow of voters,” an Ulster Unionist spokesman said.

“The weather is good. There is sunshine which will help turnout, especially at this time of year.

“However we are not expecting a flood of voters until they return from work some time between 4pm and 7pm.”

The polling stations opened at 7am today and will close at 10pm.

A total of 257 candidates are bidding for 108 Stormont seats. Each constituency will return six Assembly members.

Concerns were expressed by some parties at what appeared to be a new move to prevent their canvas teams from assessing the percentage turnout in individual polling stations.

“It appears the Electoral Office is restricting our ability to go into the polling stations and get a sense of the percentage turnout,” a DUP source said.

“We are being told by staff at a number of stations that we can’t make these inquiries as we have done in previous elections.

“This has always enabled us in the past to get a sense of what turnout is like in the various areas.”