The contest between the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP for one of the three European Parliament seats for Northern Ireland will be intense, official turnout figures suggest.
With the DUP and Sinn Féin expected to take a seat each, the contest for the third seat is keenly anticipated.
The figures showed that nationalist constituencies voted substantially more than the unionist heartlands. Turnout was just under 52 per cent, higher than some gloomy predictions following a low-key campaign in what was Northern Ireland's 30th election in 30 years.
The Sinn Féin-held constituencies of Fermanagh-South Tyrone and Mid Ulster had turnouts of 66.75 per cent and 65.4 per cent respectively.
Unionist North Down had the lowest turnout, with just 38.01 per cent, and East Antrim, targeted by the DUP at the next Westminster election, had a 39.36 per cent showing. The figures represent the trend across the North of a more enthusiastic nationalist turnout and a tendency for unionists to stay at home.
Party sources are confident the DUP and Sinn Féin will take the first two European seats on Monday when the count is held, but there are no early indications which party will top the poll.
This could have a crucial bearing on the allocation of the third and final seat. If Mr Jim Allister claims the first seat for the DUP, then his unionist transfers will help the struggling Mr Jim Nicholson, the incumbent UUP MEP.
However, should Ms Bairbre de Brún secure a historic first seat for Sinn Féin and top the poll, her surplus is more likely to help the SDLP's Mr Martin Morgan.
Another unknown factor is the performance of the Alliance-backed Independent candidate, Mr John Gilliland. His first-preference total could hurt Mr Nicholson and perhaps facilitate Mr Morgan's attempts to retain a European seat for the SDLP following the retirement of Mr John Hume.
Like Sinn Féin, the DUP is confident of winning a seat. But with the loss of the Rev Ian Paisley's significant personal vote, Mr Allister may not reach the quota on the first count or even top the poll, as his predecessor did on five occasions.
Transfers from the Green candidate, Ms Lindsay Whitcroft, or Mr Eamonn McCann of the Socialist Environmental Alliance, if eliminated early, could also aid Mr Morgan more than Mr Nicholson.
The Ulster Unionists are quietly confident that Mr Nicholson will be elected, although it was admitted the turnout was "not as high as we would have wished".
The DUP is looking ahead to the resumption of talks at Stormont with the two governments next Tuesday following the European results on Monday.
Dr Paisley said he would have a series of meetings with the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, and other officials.