Counting begins for the Northern Ireland local elections

Some 462 council seats are being contested at this year’s election

A Ballot box at Agape Centre in south Belfast ahead of polling stations opening for the Northern Ireland Council elections. Picture date: Thursday May 18, 2023.

Counting will get under way for the Northern Ireland local elections after polls closed at 10pm on Thursday evening.

Counting across 11 sites for each of the 11 councils will begin on Friday morning and is expected to continue into Saturday.