The DUP has performed strongly in three overwhelmingly unionist constituencies - Strangford, East Belfast and North Down.
The party, which had clearly put behind it last year’s difficulties involving leader Peter Robinson, was on course to have three candidates elected in each.
The Ulster Unionist vote dipped considerably with its support apparently migrating to the DUP, Alliance and Independent unionists. It is on course to win seats in each constituency, but possibly just one in each.
The DUP, which once had no representation in North Down, picked up third seat there and made up for the expected loss of the fourth seat it had defended in neighbouring Strangford.
In East Belfast, Mr Robinson’s home constituency and the seat he lost to Alliance in last year’s Westminster election, the party was also confident of three seats.
Alliance, confident of adding to its Assembly total, had opted to run additional candidates in both East Belfast and North Down. The party seems assured of at least one seat in each, but it will not be until later tomorrow that the outcome of the second-seat bid becomes clear.
The SDLP is still in with a shout for the final seat in Strangford at the fourth time of asking.
Independent unionists still have their hopes alive in North Down. Alan McFarland, elected last time for the Ulster Unionists, and local councillor Alan Chambers will know their fate tomorrow.
Turnout in all three constituencies was down with figures of 53.9 per cent in East Belfast, 48.5 per cent in Strangford and 45.8 in North Down.