Northern Ireland's political parties could seek compensation from the British government after the announcement that the Assembly elections will be suspended until the autumn, rival parties said today.
Having already spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on preparing party political broadcasts, advertising and election literature, parties claim they should not be out of pocket because of a decision made by Downing Street.
A spokesman for Mr Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists confirmed his party would be looking to recoup costs already running into tens of thousands of pounds.
"We will be seeking compensation. We pressed ahead with the election on the basis that the law stated May 29th.
"A notice of poll was published by the electoral officer on Tuesday morning and we proceeded to commit ourselves.
A Sinn Féin spokesman said his party would be raising the matter of electoral costs with the British government in the next few days.
He added the party leadership would take the decision whether to pursue compensation.
"The cancellation has huge financial implications for all of the political parties who have invested a lot of time, effort and resources into preparing for the election and that will clearly be something we will all take up in due course with the British government.
The Ulster Unionists, who had been pressing the Mr Blair to have the election suspended have spent around £90,000 sterling so far preparing for a poll that will now not go ahead on its due date.
A spokesman said it was unclear at present whether parties were entitled to recoup any of their losses.