Sinn Féin are leading the count in this year’s council elections in Northern Ireland.  

Counting was due to continue late into the night and resumed this morning. 

A total of 807 people are competing for 462 seats in council chambers across Northern Ireland. 

Sinn Féin is aiming to overtake the DUP to become the largest party in local government.  

As of last night, nearly half of all seats were filled, with Sinn Féin gaining 72 seats so far. The DUP remains behind Sinn Féin with 56 seats.  

Reports say turnout for the local elections was 55.2%. 

British and Irish Politics Professor at the University of Liverpool Jon Tonge said Sinn Féin is performing better than many anticipated.  

A montage of election posters for the forthcoming Local Elections in Northern Ireland, posters for Sinn Fein, TUV, SDLP, UUParty, and the Labour Party (Noel bennett / Alamy Stock Photo)

“Sinn Féin is on course to become the largest party in local Government in the North," he said. “That is on route to completing the set, because Sinn Féin became the largest party in the Assembly last year.” 

“They could even become the largest party in Westminster terms come the next general election.” 

Prof Tonge said this rise is due to more than an increase in voter turnout.  

“It’s partly about increased turnout, but Sinn Féin’s increase in vote share is higher than the increase in voter turnout,” he explained.  

“It’s not just a case of Sinn Féin mobilising extra voters, Sinn Féin has also, to some extent, cannabalised the votes of others, particularly the SDLP. 

“Sinn Féin has simply not been losing seats anywhere.” 

The SDLP has currently gained 12 seats, having gained a total of 59 seats in the 2019 council election.