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.
5. Antrim and Newtownabbey
Former Alliance Party leader, David Ford, crunches the numbers during the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council election count at the Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey Photo: stephen davison
6. Antrim and Newtownabbey
PSNI officers look on as the votes are counted during today's Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council election count at the Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey. Picture by Stephen Davison Photo: stephen davison
7. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
The election count centre of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council at Banbridge Leisure Centre Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
8. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
The ballot boxes are opened at the election count of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye