Ballot boxes opened at 8am this morning for votes to be counted in the second election we have had in Northern Ireland in ten months.
The election that nobody wanted and no one previously wanted to vote in has come and gone. Due to the number of MLAs in the Assembly reducing from 108 to 90, we are likely to experience a long count period and will not see any MLAs named until around late afternoon at the earliest.
One positive indication is that turnout seems to be higher than last year. Some polling stations reporting as much as 80%. I hope that means that voters have been activated and are sending out a clearer signal that we want things to work for us here, regardless of whatever scandals have been dominating the headlines. The media interest of late is most likely the contributing factor.
The next few days for the survival of the Assembly are crucial.
It is likely that the DUP and Sinn Fein will be returned as the two largest parties. They will have three weeks to resolve their multiple differences and form a new administration.
No one wants to return to direct rule, but if a solution is not found we may have no choice and no say over timescale. If our elected representatives and political masters have any common sense, we will get a heads of agreement drafted, get the Assembly back up and running again and, if required, get our good friends at the Northern Ireland Office to give us a helping hand in getting an Executive formed.
As votes are counted over the next few hours a picture will emerge of how significant a task that may or may not be.
So, eh, that’s it for the time being. Don’t think there was anything else… oh that’s right, Brexit…