13/05/2004

Seven NI candidates stand for three MEP seats

Seven candidates are to stand for Northern Ireland's three MEP seats after nominations for this summer's European Elections closed today.

Jim Nicholson (UUP), Jim Allister (DUP), Martin Morgan (SDLP), Bairbre de Brun (Sinn Fein), Eamonn McCann (Socialist Environmental Alliance), John Gilliland (Independent) and Lindsay Whitcroft (Green Party) will vie for the constituency's three seats in the June 10 poll.

While Ulster Unionist, Jim Nicholson is likely to hold onto a seat he has held since 1989, the real battle will see the DUP's Jim Allister, the SDLP's Martin Morgan and Sinn Féin's Bairbre de Brun battle for the remaining two seats.

Mr Allister should succeed in gaining the majority of Ian Paisley's former votes, however following the SDLP's recently poor Assembly election showing at the hands of Sinn Féin, Mr Morgan could lose out to Ms de Brun.

Although polling day is set for June 10, the results will not be known until four days later.

(MB)

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