The Democratic Unionists were meeting last night to choose their candidate to replace party leader the Rev Ian Paisley in the elections for the European Parliament this June.
Four candidates were vying to be the DUP's nominee in three-seater constituency of Northern Ireland.
Former Stormont Social Development Minister Mr Maurice Morrow was the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring.
Former MP the Rev William McCrea, Newry and Armagh MLA Mr Paul Berry, and barrister Mr Jim Allister are also contesting the selection meeting.
Around 90 members of the DUP executive were entitled to make the choice of the party candidate.
Party sources indicated that Mr Allister was emerging as the favourite.
Should he win, it would mark a remarkable comeback for a politician who resigned in 1987 when he was prevented from contesting an Ulster Unionist seat, in East Antrim, in the general election.
The party emerged as Northern Ireland's largest party in November's assembly election, overtaking the Ulster Unionists and would hope to continue to build on that success this June.
Ulster Unionist MEP Mr Jim Nicholson and former Sinn Féin Health Minister Bairbre de Brún have both been selected by their parties for the contest.
The nationalist SDLP will decide on March 6th who will replace their former leader Mr John Hume as their candidate for the election.