O'Dowd tops poll in Upper Bann

Upper Bann: Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd topped the poll in the unionist heartland constituency of Upper Bann, where former Ulster…

Upper Bann:Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd topped the poll in the unionist heartland constituency of Upper Bann, where former Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble once reigned supreme.

The UUP vote collapsed, with the highest-polling candidate, sitting MLA Samuel Gardiner, getting 5,135 first preferences on a quota of 6,127. The party's second-highest candidate, George Savage, will struggle to hold the seat with 2,167 first preferences.

The DUP's David Simpson, the area's MP, was elected on the first count with 6,828 first preferences. Sitting DUP MLA Stephen Moutray also looked set to hold his seat.

The SDLP's Dolores Kelly looked set to retain her seat, polling 4,689 first preferences. Carissa Casey