North Belfast: North Belfast, perhaps the most unpredictable of all 18 constituencies, shed its reputation for accommodating a range of parties and leaned more heavily towards the DUP and Sinn Féin.
The six outgoing Assembly members came from six parties and included members from the smaller unionist parties. However, the first preference total showed the extent of political polarisation and the ability of high-profile candidates for both Sinn Féin and the DUP to bring in running mates.
Mr Nigel Dodds, the area's MP, polled strongly with 9,276 first preferences and transferred to Mr Nelson McCausland bringing him in on the second count.
Mr Gerry Kelly, with over 5,500 on the first count easily exceeded the 4,505 quota and positioned his running mate, Ms Kathy Stanton, for a second Sinn Féin seat.
Mr Fred Cobain came in with just under 3,000 votes and seemed well placed to take a seat for the Ulster Unionists. Mr Alban Maginness was on course to retain the sole SDLP seat.
The results here illustrate the wider squeeze on independents and smaller parties.
My Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionists polled 1,358 first preferences, too low a tally to retain his place in the reckoning for transfers from other pro-agreement parties.
Mr Fraser Agnew of the United Unionist Coalition was also in trouble with just 802 first preferences and it was a miserable occasion for Alliance and other small groupings.
Mr Kelly said the tide in favour of Sinn Féin was down to the nationalist/republican constituency deciding that his party represented a strengthening of its hand in the next steps of the peace process.
He said the loss of Mr John Hume, Mr Séamus Mallon, Ms Bríd Rodgers and Mr Eddie McGrady - who did not stand for election - had left something of a void which the current SDLP leadership had not filled.