TO THE considerable annoyance of his political opponents, the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, yesterday confirmed he had won the right to have his name on the ballot paper in the forthcoming election.
Dr Paisley put his success down to "divine intervention and the power of prayer", but his opponents preferred to attribute it to political sleight of hand.
The chief electoral officer Mr Pat Bradley, who was obliged to adjudicate on the issue, said he had interpreted the law as it stood.
Dr Paisley had earlier written to the British Prime Minister Mr John Major, on the matter. On the basis that the independent unionist, Mr Robert McCartney had succeeded in having his name attached to the title of his UK Unionist Party, Dr Paisley claimed that to deny him a similar facility would imply discrimination against his party.
The DUP leader had said he was taking legal advice on the issue. On Thursday he presented Mr Bradley with nomination papers which described his party as the "Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Ian Paisley".
Mr Bradley said yesterday "I have decided that is a valid nomination. My view is that I will take the name as given on the nomination paper if I am satisfied that that is one of the parties indicated [on the British government list]. I will have the nomination accepted and I will have printed on the ballot paper the name as put down on the nomination papers."
Mr Bradley added that it was a very serious matter for him to disqualify a person from nomination. He had not been satisfied that what Dr Paisley had done entitled him (Mr Bradley) to hold those nomination papers to be invalid.
The dispute arose, in part, because the law in Britain is silent on political parties. There is no registration procedure for parties or party names and no definition in law of what a party is.
Mr Bradley admitted yesterday that, in principle, any of the other party leaders could have emulated Dr Paisley and succeeded in having their name on the ballot paper. However, nominations have now closed.
The PUP, which had threatened legal action if Dr Paisley's demand was conceded, yesterday expressed disappointment at the decision. It would still seek legal advice on the matter, said the party spokesman, Mr David Ervine.
The UUP East Belfast candidate, Mr Reg Empey, said the matter had been handled ridiculously. Dr Paisley now had the capacity to divide the pro Union vote many ways.
The Alliance Party chief whip, Alderman Sean Neeson, claimed Dr Paisley's determination to have his name on the ballot paper was a clear vote of no confidence in the other DUP candidates.
The Alliance deputy leader, Mr Seamus Close, accused Dr Paisley of playing games with the electoral process, saying "This election is far to serious serious for such antics".
The legislation for the May 30th poll contained a list of eligible parties. This contained only party names, with the exception of Mr McCartney's party and a number of independents, designated as "Independent McMullan" etc.
There are about 10 parties on the list using the word "unionist" in their titles.