The SDLP is determined to be the North's biggest political party following the election, according to deputy leader Mr Seamus Mallon.
Speaking at the launch of the party's manifesto yesterday in Belfast's Hilton hotel, Mr Mallon said he expected Ms Brid Rodgers to win in West Tyrone, and believed the party could also take three other seats, North Belfast, South Belfast and Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
The party was certain to retain its three seats in Foyle, Newry and Armagh, and South Down, he said. "I think we will go back with a very massive vote." Party leader Mr John Hume urged the electorate not to lose the power-sharing agreement at Stormont as they had in 1974 with the Sunningdale agreement.
"We must now build on all that has already been achieved. Against the backdrop of relative peace and stability the onus on us now is to create a fair, equal and prosperous society. The manifesto outlines how we can best achieve that aim," he said.
On policing, the manifesto committed the party to working for the full implementation of the Patten report, the disbandment of the full-time RUC reserve and Special Branch and the immediate closure of Gough Barracks in Armagh. It looks forward to the creation of an impartial, representative, accountable and community-focused police service. There is also a promise to lobby for inquiries into "a number of controversial murders which have come to represent the core of nationalist distrust in security services and the justice system".
Speaking by video link from Brussels where she was on ministerial business, Agriculture Minister Ms Rodgers said the election marked the start of a new era in politics in the North.
"This manifesto is different because for the first time it pledges the SDLP to actions over which it actually has some control. From now on no party can get by on mere slogans."
Candidate for North Belfast Mr Alban Maginness said the SDLP was pressing for the introduction of "affirmative action" and "target setting" in a bid to eliminate discrimination.
"Although unemployment has fallen in both communities, Catholics are significantly more likely to be unemployed than Protestants and there remains a 20 per cent gap between male and female earnings," he said.
The party was also campaigning for increased funding and powers for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, as well as for the abolition of non-jury Diplock courts, and for the withdrawal of plastic bullets. In education, the abolition of the 11 plus was one of the party's key priorities, according to MLA Ms Patricia Lewsley. The controversial exam determines whether post-primary school children attend academic grammar schools or more vocational secondary schools.
"The SDLP wants to see an all-ability education system that can guarantee equality of opportunity to all children, enhance social inclusion and create parity of esteem between so-called academic and vocational education," she said.
Securing entry into the single European currency will be a priority for the SDLP's members at Westminster, according to South Down MP Mr Eddie McGrady. He also said the party would work to bring "high skill, high wage" jobs to the North.
North-South co-operation featured prominently in the manifesto. Human rights, tourism, rural development and the energy market were all areas which would benefit from a whole-island approach, it said.