Ulster's politicians are facing a 24 hour wait for the results of the elections to the Stormont assembly which were held yesterday.

Early results from the 18 six-seat constituencies are expected by this afternoon, although many of the final seats will not be declared until tomorrow.

One early exit poll for broadcaster RTE put David Trimble's UUP ahead of Rev Ian Paisley's DUP and put Sinn Fein tied with the SDLP.