Following a slow start, voting at Northern Ireland’s 620 polling stations is described as "steady" as voters select from the 105 local candidates contesting the province's 18 Westminster seats and the 918 representatives competing for 582 council seats.

Polling stations across the province opened at 7am and will remain so until 10pm.

Voters are reminded to bring valid ID to place their votes. Acceptable voting identification includes:

• A current Northern Ireland or Great Britain full driving licence or a Northern Ireland provisional licence, all of which must bear the photograph of the holder;
• A current passport issued by the government of the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland and, for the Local Government election only, a passport issued by a Member State of the European Union;
• A current Senior SmartPass issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme;
• A current electoral identity card.

Counting of votes cast for the general election, which is first past the post, will begin on Friday morning. The first results expected by tomorrow afternoon.

The more complex counting required for the local council election ballot papers, which uses the proportional representation system, will not commence until the start of next week.

(MB/SP)