Snap elections were called in January after long-simmering tensions boiled over between Catholic, Irish Republican socialists Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party, which is Protestant, conservative and pro-British in its outlook. While that was a scheduled election, this latest round of voting was triggered by a profound collapse in the power-sharing process between the lead unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and its Irish nationalist counterpart, Sinn Fein. It is very clear in terms of unionism that it is the Democratic Unionist Party that speaks for unionism.”

She added: “I do hope devolution will get back up and running as quickly as possible.”

The DUP and Sinn Féin will have three weeks to resolve their multiple differences and form a new administration. Ostensibly, McGuinness resigned due to DUP leader and Northern Irish First Minister, Arlene Foster, refusing to temporarily stand down while an investigation was carried out into green energy scheme, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Image copyright Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Image caption Former First Minister and DUP party Arlene Foster on her way to cast her vote

The ballot boxes were taken to eight counting centres across Northern Ireland after the polls closed. Image caption SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and his family on their way to vote in Londonderry

Image copyright PACEMAKER Image caption Sinn Féin's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill outside her polling station

The polls opened at 07:00 GMT on Thursday and closed at 22:00 GMT.
Northern Irish voters go to the polls to elect their new MLA representatives after a snap election was called following the resignation of Deputy First minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin over the mishandling by Democratic Unionist Party over the recent Renewable Heat Incentive scandal.