Republican Sinn Féin is to run candidates in at least 11 of Northern Ireland's 18 constituencies in the Assembly elections on March 7th but will campaign on an abstentionist ticket, the party announced yesterday.
Former prisoners are expected to be among the candidates challenging Sinn Féin for republican votes in the election. If successful none of the candidates will take seats in the Assembly.
Republican Sinn Féin - which was formed after the Sinn Féin ardfheis of 1986, under the leadership of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, ended the party's long-standing abstentionist policy - said selection conventions will take place over the next seven days after which "details of candidates selected, our electoral strategy and policy will be revealed".
Sinn Féin also faces other challenges from former supporters or dissident republicans. Former Sinn Féin ardchomhairle member Gerry McGeogh is running in Fermanagh South Tyrone while David Hyland, who was deselected by the party in Newry and Armagh, will run as an independent in that constituency.
Meanwhile the DUP has moved to try to avoid any breaches of discipline from its potential dissidents. Candidates have been asked to sign a resignation letter which could be implemented if they break party policy.
The DUP confirmed that it was normal practice for candidates to sign a contract but that no contract is finalised. Potential penalties for breaches of discipline include a fine of up to £20,000 and a clause that could compel a successful candidate to resign from the Assembly, said party sources.
Ulster Unionist Party chief negotiator Alan McFarland accused the DUP leadership of trying to buy the silence of their candidates. "This is outrageous, reeks of a paranoia and shows a party deeply uneasy with itself. It also runs contrary to basic principles of democracy," he said.
