NORTHERN IRELAND:OFFICIAL TALLIES from the European election in Northern Ireland confirm a sharp downward trend in turnout.
Just 42.81 per cent of the electorate turned out compared to 51.72 per cent five years ago. Only three of the 18 Westminster constituencies recorded a turnout figure of 50 per cent or better.
Counting begins in Belfast this morning. It is expected that the final results will be among the last seats to be declared anywhere in the EU.
The highest turnout totals were seen in nationalist areas, particularly those west of the Bann. Almost 53 per cent of the electorate voted in Mid Ulster, while 51.5 per cent of voters turned out in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
In unionist areas, the turnouts were much lower with 34.5 per cent voting in East Antrim and 34.2 per cent in Strangford.
The European Parliament vote declined in unionist North Down by 3.5 per cent and by 4.8 per cent in DUP-held East Antrim. However, the vote in Newry and Armagh fell by just under 17 per cent and by 15.2 per cent in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
The pattern was mirrored in the three SDLP Westminster constituencies, but to a lesser extent. In Foyle, the turnout dropped by 12 per cent, while in South Down it fell by 9 per cent. South Belfast’s turnout was down 7.2 per cent.
One reason for the sharp falls in nationalist turnouts could be the widespread perception, especially among Sinn Féin supporters, that candidate Bairbre de Brún was well placed to retain her European seat and that efforts were needed to fight for seats in the South.
If, as expected, Ms de Brún is returned to Brussels her surplus and those of the smaller parties will prove crucial to the fortunes of SDLP candidate Alban Maginness, who is fighting to retain the seat held by John Hume from 1979 until 2004.
The unionist vote has been divided among three candidates in a manner not widely anticipated at the outset of the campaign.
The showing of Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister will rattle his erstwhile colleagues in the DUP since he is seen as the prime reason for the drop in support for Diane Dodds. She is still expected to be elected for the DUP, but the fate of the third seat remains wide open.