The fourth Fermanagh South Tyrone seat has been secured by UUP candidate Rosemary Barton.
A former teacher at Devenish College, Mrs Barton, from Lack, was an
Erne North Councillor. She becomes the third female to secure a seat in Fermanagh South Tyrone in the 2016 Assembly election, following Arlene Foster and Michelle Gildernew's success yesterday.
Mrs. Barton reached the quota - 6,740 - on the sixth count this morning (Saturday). She received 2,900 votes from her running mate Alastair Patterson's redistributed votes, after he was eliminated last night. The UUP have failed in their attempt to secure two seats in Fermanagh South Tyrone, a constituency that has traditionally been represented by one UUP member; Tom Elliott, who is currently MP for the area.
Across Northern Ireland, the UUP have secured 12.6 per cent of the vote.
Commenting on her success, Mrs. Barton told impartial reporter.com: "It is wonderful to be elected, I am so happy for the people of Fermanagh-south Tyrone. I hope to work for the whole people and try to get jobs and industries to the west, our health service sorted out. I'll attempt that anyway."
Two seats remain and Mrs. Barton's surplus votes are currently being redistributed. Three candidates remain:
Sinn Fein has two candidates remaining: Sean Lynch and John Feely (Sinn Fein) and Richie McPhillips (SDLP).
Sinn Fein sources have voiced concern that some UUP voters have given McPhillips their third preference, therefore posing the possibility of him getting ahead of John Feely.
Stay tuned to find out what the seventh count brings.
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