DUP: new leader will be elected today
By SARAH MCKINLEY
The new leader of the DUP will be known later today (Friday).
In the running are Edwin Poots and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson who are taking part in the party's first leadership contest in its 50-year history..
The DUP's 28 MLAs and eight MPs will meet virtually to hear both men's pitches before voting in a secret ballot.
Sir Jeffrey and Mr Poots will have 10 minutes each to speak to the electoral college.
The contenders to succeed Lord Dodds as deputy leader, Gregory Campbell, Paula Bradley and Paul Frew, will each have five minutes to make their case.
Voters will cast their ballot at party headquarters on Friday afternoon before polls are due to close at 4pm.
Outgoing leader Arlene Foster confirmed on Wednesday that she would be voting, but declined to say who she would be backing.
She resigned following an internal revolt against her leadership.
The move came in the form of a letter of no confidence signed by a majority of the party's senior elected representatives.
Mrs Foster will step down from that role on May 28, and as Stormont First Minister at the end of June.