JUST a fortnight to go to the election and Belfast is strangely subdued. Not a poster in sight. Not a smiling candidate, handshake at the ready, scouring the streets in search of voters.
Even on the Falls, where election campaigns are, traditionally conducted with relish, the lamp posts are bare and the road seems free of canvassers.
There is no heated debate in bars, cafes or shops anywhere. "Oh the election," says Sean McDaid as he stands outside the Hercules Bar in Castle Street in the city centre. "When is it anyway?"
Marty Armstrong knows when the poll is taking place but has no intention of voting. "It's a complete waste of time," he says. "There are about 30 parties on the list and I wouldn't support any of them. They've certainly all crept out of the woodwork for this election.
"Most of them are loonies. Nobody ever heard of them until the British government put them on the list to make it look democratic. The Natural Law Party are the only sane ones. They saw the whole thing was a fiasco and pulled out."
"It all seems very complicated," says Elsie Coulter from east Belfast who was out shopping. "There are a lot of groups with the same names taking part. I'll need to bring my glasses to the polling booth.
"I can't understand all the lists. There are party lists and regional lists. I always just vote unionist. Aren't they setting up some type of assembly for the politicians to go to after the election?"
Mark O'Kane, a student, thinks that the election has attracted so many, candidates because of the salaries in the new forum. "That's our politicians for you - only interested in putting a pound in their pocket and getting a bit of power."
In the Crown Bar on Belfast's golden mile, David, an accountant, believes it's irresponsible for people to dismiss the election. "I'll most definitely be exercising my democratic franchise," he said.
"The peace process is the only hope we've got. It's our duty to come out and support it and try to find a better future for everybody."
Another customer, Jim Frazer, disagrees. "Most people don't see the point in the elections. We can't see where the process is going. Sinn Fein won't be at the negotiating table if the IRA doesn't reinstate the ceasefire, and without Sinn Fein the talks will be worthless."
Margaret Edgar, a shopper, says she will be voting but against her better judgment. "On the day I suppose I will go to the polling station, but I don't really know why. Even if the politicians do all talk to each other, will any of them talk any sense?"