Independent observers will oversee tomorrow's poll in Northern Ireland, it has been announced.

All of the 18 constituencies will be allocated an official from the Electoral Commission, each of whom will visit 15 polling stations.

Some will also attend the count and will be joined by a special delegation from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Monitors from Canada, Poland and the United States have already met with the main political parties.

The findings will be used to compile the first statutory report on the conduct of elections to the Stormont assembly.

"This is the first time the commission will have the opportunity to comment in detail on a Northern Ireland-wide election," said Seamus Magee, head of the Electoral Commission in Ulster.

"The statutory report will cover all aspects of conduct and administration from the environment in which polling stations are situated, to adequate provision for wheelchair users to the conduct of polling staff."