Counting began at count centres at 8am on Friday morning after voters cast their ballots across the 11 council areas on Thursday.
Some 462 council seats are being contested at this year’s election.
Sinn Fein’s Gary McCleave was the first to be elected on Friday at Lisburn and Castlereagh Council, securing a seat in the Killultagh district electoral area (DEA).
His election was swiftly followed by the DUP’s Thomas Beckett and Claire Kemp of the Alliance in the same DEA.
1. Belfast
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long and her husband, Michael, who is standing as an Alliance candidate for Belfast City Council, arrive at Belfast City Hall as counting begins in the Northern Ireland council elections Photo: Liam McBurney
2. Belfast
Ballot papers begin to be counted at Belfast City Hall for the Northern Ireland council elections Photo: Liam McBurney
3. Belfast
Green Party NI leaders Mal O'Hara (centre) tallying ballots as ballot boxes are opened in Belfast City Hall Photo: Liam McBurney
4. Antrim and Newtownabbey
The Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council election count gets under way at the Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey Photo: stephen davison