06/05/2005

Six MP's returned by early Friday evening

Only six of the 18 seats had been returned in the 2005 Westminster elections by Friday evening.

As the pace of returns picked up, East Belfast saw the return of the DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson comfortably with UUP candiate Sir Reg Empey trailed in second place.

In East Antrim, the DUP's Sammy Wilson has replaced the UUP's Roy Beggs as the constituency's new MP.

Mr Wilson secured 15,766 votes compared with the outgoing Mr Beggs who polled 8,462. The turnout in East Antrim was 54%.

In North Belfast, the DUP's Nigel Dodds retained his seat with a 5,188 majority after winning 13,935 votes. His nearest rival was Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly with 8,747. The turnout in North Belfast was 58%.

Shortly beforehand, SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell has won South Belfast after the unionist vote split between the DUP and the UUP.

Dr McDonnell secured 10,339 votes compared to nearest rival, DUP candidate Jimmy Spratt, who won 9,104 while UUP member Michael McGimpsey claimed 7,263 votes. The turnout for South Belfast was 61%.

DUP leader Ian Paisley retained his seat in North Antrim by securing 25,156 votes compared with his closest neighbour, Sinn Fein's Philip McGuigan with 7,191. The turnout for North Antrim was 62%.

Earlier in the day, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams secured the first of the Westminster MP seats by retaining his West Belfast seat.

Mr Adams was elected with 24,348 votes, a majority of 19,315, with his closest candidate the SDLP’s Alex Attwood securing 5,033 votes. Turnout for West Belfast was 65%.

One hundred and five candidates are contesting the 18 Northern Ireland seats, whilst 918 people are competing for 582 council seats.

The more complex counting required for the local council election ballot papers, which uses the proportional representation system, will not commence until the start of next week.

(MB/SP)

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