A total of 256 candidates are campaigning for 108 seats in the Assembly elections, as a number of disaffected Ulster Unionist, DUP and SDLP candidates compete against former colleagues.
With nominations closed, the UUP is fielding 43 candidates, followed by the DUP with 40, Sinn Féin with 38 and the SDLP 36.
It has already emerged that pro-Belfast Agreement Ulster Unionist, Mr Ivan Davis, who was de-selected in Mr Jeffrey Donaldson's Lagan Valley constituency, is running as an independent unionist. This may result in him being ousted from the party.
Two former DUP Assembly members and a DUP councillor are also running as independents, having failed to be selected under the party banner. Mr Gardiner Kane is seeking a seat in the Rev Ian Paisley's North Antrim constituency. Former MLA Mr Roger Hutchinson and DUP councillor Mr Jack McKee are challenging in East Antrim.
Former SDLP MLA Ms Annie Courtney, while de-selected, still believes she can win a seat as an independent nationalist in party leader Mr Mark Durkan's Foyle constituency.
Meanwhile, the SDLP and Progressive Unionist Party yesterday rounded on the DUP's education policy. Mr Sammy Wilson of the DUP urged the retention of the 11-plus examination.
Mr Wilson also accused former Sinn Féin education minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, of over-funding Catholic schools to the detriment of Protestant or state schools, and of being biased in favour of Irish language schools.
Asked did the 11-plus not discriminate against children in working-class Belfast loyalist areas, where only 1 per cent of them sit the A-level exams, Mr Wilson said the disadvantaged must be supported, and a distinction must be made between academic and vocational requirements.
The SDLP's education spokesman Mr Tommy Gallagher described the DUP's education policy as a "charter for failure, bigotry and complacency".
