SDLP's former deputy leader Dolores Kelly vulnerable in Upper Bann

It seems that Sinn Fein have managed their vote perfectly between Seeley and out-going Education Minister John O’Dowd, although Kelly – who has held the seat since 2003 – has a history of scraping through on transfers at the final count.

Indications are that the DUP’s Carla Lockhart could top the poll, with her running-mate Sydney Anderson also polling well.

The UUP have three on the card, with two likely to make it. The smart money is on sitting member Jo-Anne Dobson, the front-runner of the three, with Army veteran Doug Beattie likely to join her – but Kyle Savage is not to be discounted.

The minor parties – including Alliance’s Harry Hamilton – rarely make beyond the early counts in Upper Bann, where there is a field of 17. Just one in three will make it, and the early indications are that the ‘twos’ will be the outcome.

The first count is due between 2-3pm.

The turn-out in Upper Bann is 54.44 per cent, with 46,383 votes cast. That means a quota of 6,626.