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The first results in the local government elections in Northern Ireland have been revealed, with councilors taking seats in Mid Ulster and Lisburn and Castlereagh councils.<\/p>\nThe first results in the local government elections in Northern Ireland have been revealed, with councilors taking seats in Mid Ulster and Lisburn and Castlereagh councils.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Darren Totten won the first seat in the Mid Ulster District Council. He topped the poll in Magherfelt with 1,665 first preference votes.<\/p>\n
Other candidates elected include the DUP\u2019s Clement Cuthbertson and Independent Barry Monteith in the Mid Ulster Council.<\/p>\n
The counting process is taking place across Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Ballot boxes were opened in 11 count centers across the region at 8am at the start of a two-day count.<\/p>\n
A total of 819 local council candidates are standing for 462 available seats across the 11 council areas.<\/p>\n
Initial indications from some of the 1,463 polling stations across the country suggest a solid turnout, with the good weather appearing to have buoyed numbers casting their ballots.<\/p>\n
It was the first time in more than 20 years that a council election was held on its own, and not in conjunction with another poll.<\/p>\n
The official turnout figure in the last council election in 2014, which was held at the same time as the European election, was 51%.<\/p>\n
The verification of unused ballot papers was conducted overnight ahead of the main counts.<\/p>\n
Counting will continue through Friday and is scheduled to resume on Saturday, when the final picture will begin to emerge.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland\u2019s political leaders cast their votes in their local areas on Thursday.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Arlene Foster voted in the Co Fermanagh village of Brookeborough while Sinn F\u00e9in vice president Michelle O\u2019Neill voted in Clonoe, Co Tyrone.<\/p>\n
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann voted in Ballymena, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood voted in Derry and Alliance leader Naomi Long cast her vote in east Belfast.<\/p>\n
Among noteworthy races for seats will be Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s former West Tyrone MP Barry McElduff\u2019s efforts to return from the political wilderness.<\/p>\n
He was forced to step aside after offending the families of those shot dead by republicans at the height of the Troubles in Kingsmill, Co Armagh.<\/p>\n
Mr McElduff is running for a place on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in the far west.<\/p>\n
In Newtownabbey, near Belfast, the DUP\u2019s first openly gay candidate is seeking election.<\/p>\n
Alison Bennington is standing for a party which has repeatedly vetoed same-sex marriage and holds strong Christian values.<\/p>\n
It is the first poll since journalist Lyra McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans during disturbances in Derry in April.<\/p>\n
Her death prompted revulsion against the group blamed for the killing and a call by a Catholic priest for politicians to redouble efforts to restore devolved power-sharing.<\/p>\n
The Stormont Assembly and ministerial Executive have been suspended since early 2017.<\/p>\n
The last Democratic Unionist\/Sinn F\u00e9in-led power-sharing coalition imploded amid a row about a botched renewable energy scheme.<\/p>\n
The rift between the erstwhile partners-in-government subsequently widened to take in disputes over the Irish language, same-sex marriage and the legacy of the Troubles.<\/p>\n
Fresh negotiations are due to begin next week following Ms McKee\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
The council election is being conducted by single transferable vote, a proportional representation system.<\/p>\n