Polling Stations Open Across NI

Polling stations have now opened across Northern Ireland.

Voters are preparing to cast their ballots in the 2017 Assembly election.

The polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm tonight, 02 March.

A total of 228 candidates are competing for 90 seats across NI's 18 constituencies.

The count will begin on Friday morning, 03 March.

Alliance Leader Naomi Long said the election is an opportunity to change things for good.

She said: "It is a golden opportunity to turn things around and get the sort of politics you want. It is a chance to elect responsible, proven leadership who will work in the best interests of everyone. It's an opportunity to put an end to the pettiness, squabbling, corruption and division that's destroying our public services and eroding public trust. But people need to grasp this opportunity.

"Every vote for Alliance in every constituency will matter. It will send out a strong message about the type of society people want to see - a progressive, liberal and vibrant community which celebrates diversity as a strength, rather than exploiting difference as a weakness.

"It's the chance to end the sham fights between 'them and us' and instead focus on what we can achieve together, and to make our politics into something honest, open, responsible, respectful and hard working. To change things for good."

(CD)