Voters to make their voices heard at the polls

VOTERS will today (Thursday) go to the polls to decide their new MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

In Northern Ireland, there are 136 candidates battling it out across 18 constituencies to represent voters in Parliament.

Polling stations at schools and community centres opened across the constituency this morning at 7am, with the votes being cast until 10pm.

Once polling stations close, the ballot boxes will be brought to one of the three Northern Ireland count centres, where they will be counted overnight.

In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, votes will be counted in Magherafelt.

Locally, it's all to play for, with the FPTP (First Past the Post) system to decide who will return as MP.

Six candidates will be on the ballot paper, as follows.

Diana Armstrong, a present councillor who is standing for the UUP. A daughter of MP, Harry West, Mrs. Armstrong is hoping to replicate her father's success at Westminster.

Paul Blake, a former Councillor, has also thrown his name into the hat. Despite losing his Council seat last year, the Enniskillen man is hoping to again be elected for the SDLP.

Gerry Cullen is hoping to attract votes for Cross Community Labour Alternative (CCLA).

Pat Cullen,  Sinn Féin, is fighting her first election, having stepped down from her role as chair of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

Carl Duffy, is standing for Aontú in what will also be his first election. He represents a strongly pro-life platform.

Eddie Roofe, Alliance councillor, is hoping to emulate the success that he experienced at local government level last year. He became the first Alliance councillor to be ever elected in Enniskillen.

Full coverage will be provided on the Impartial Reporter website and social media channels.