SOME 1,177,969 people are entitled to vote today in Northern Ireland's 18 constituencies in what many politicians are describing as one of the most crucial elections ever in the North.
A high turnout is expected in many parts, particularly in marginal constituencies.
As party leaders made eve of poll calls for support, electoral officers were preparing for the count which begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
While the counts in Britain begin after the close of polling tonight, security concerns and other logistical problems mean that the count is delayed in Northern Ireland.
Mr Patrick Bradley, the chief electoral officer, said the first results should be known between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow.
He warned that recounts could delay results in some of the more keenly contested seats. Some declarations may not be made until late tomorrow night or even Saturday.
In some predictable seats, such as East Antrim and South Antrim where the sitting Ulster Unionist Party MPs are certain to be returned, the poll should be around 60 to 65 per cent.
However, very high polls are expected in constituencies deemed too close to call between nationalist and unionist parties and where there are vital battles between the SDLP and Sinn Fein.
The percentage turnout in constituencies, such as Mid Ulster and Fermanagh South Tyrone, should be around 80 per cent or more.
Already these constituencies have recorded a high increase in postal and proxy votes. In Mid Ulster Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein and the SDLP's Mr Denis Haughey are vying to take the seat from the DUP's the Rev Willie McCrea, who has mounted a resolute defence.
The new West Tyrone constituency is staging a similar three way contest. The UUP candidate, Mr Willie Thompson, is trying to hold off the challenge from Mr Joe Byrne for the SDLP and Mr Pat Doherty of Sinn Fein.
In West Belfast the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, believes he will take the seat from Dr Joe Hendron of the SDLP, although tactical unionist voting for Dr Hendron may still make that contest more unpredictable.
Inter factional contests involving the UUP, the DUP and the UK Unionist Party should also mean high turnouts in constituencies such as East Belfast and North Down where in previous Westminster elections a pact had resulted in single unionist candidates.
In East Belfast, Mr Reg Empey is attempting to oust the sitting DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, while in North Down Mr Robert McCartney is defending his seat against Mr Alan McFarland of the DUP. There are also interunionist contests in East Londonderry and Strangford, which should attract a high turnout.
Lord Alderdice's Alliance Party is battling for the middle ground in Northern Ireland, as are other parties such as the Women's Coalition, the Green Party and the Labour grouping. The Progressive Unionist Party is contesting its first Westminster election and hoping to expand its electoral base.
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, last night called on voters to "send a clear and strong message to the world that the vast majority of our community wants real peace".
The UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, said the election was providing voters with the opportunity to go into the next century with hope.
"It will decide the direction unionism will take into the next millennium. People must support the party that will build that future," he said.
