Local Council Elections 2023: first candidates to secure their seats

First of the local councillors elected
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 19th May 2023
Last updated 19th May 2023

The first councillors have been elected in the Northern Ireland local government elections.

Counting began at count centres across Northern Ireland at 8am on Friday morning after voters cast their ballots across the 11 council areas on Thursday.

Sinn Fein's Gary McCleave was the first to be elected 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.

Also, Jonathan Craig (DUP) and Paul Burke (SF) were elected in Lisburn North.

Banbridge Leisure Centre

Alliance Party candidate Joy Ferguson tops the poll in Banbridge DEA

Foyle Arena

Derek Hussey (UUP) elected in Derry and Strabane

Belfast City Hall

Sinn Fein's Michael Donnelly(left), Arder Carson (centre) and Ciaran Beattie (right) are elected to the Black Mountain Ward in Belfast City Council.

Location: Belfast City Hall

Belfast Lord Mayor Tina Black speaks to our Reporter James Gould after she was re-elected for Sinn Fein in the Court DEA of Belfast

Location: Foyle Arena

Claps all round for Caitlin Deeney and Sinn Fein at the Derry City & Strabane District Council count

Location: Banbridge Leisure Centure

Counting is well under way for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council at Banbridge Leisure Centre. No official turnout figure just yet but sources say it's expected to be around 52%

Location: Belfast City Hall

Sinn Fein's Bronach Anglin and Conor Maskey get elected to Castle Ward in Belfast City Council.

Location: Belfast City Hall

Sinn Feins Geraldine McAteer gets elected for Balmoral.

The election count of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council begins

Location: Belfast City Hall

Counting beings at Belfast City Hall for the Belfast City Council

Location: Foyle Arena

The boxes are open and counting is now underway at the Foyle Arena for Derry City & Strabane Council

Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council are ready to start their count

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