Election Northern Ireland Assembly (1982)

the electoral system proved hugely controversial. while there general acceptance elections should take part using single transferable vote system, decision use same 12 constituency boundaries used in 1973 rather new 17 constituency boundaries later adopted in 1983 heavily criticised.

great interest centred on performance of sinn féin, fighting first full election in many decades , on inter-unionist rivalry between dup , uup. former had pulled ahead in european election of 1979 , local council elections of 1981 had suffered setback in belfast south by-election, 1982 followed murder of robert bradford.

the results seen positive step new electoral strategy of sinn féin gained 5 seats , narrowly missed winning seats in belfast north , fermanagh , south tyrone. sdlp disappointed 14 seats , 1 of these subsequently lost in by-election uup seamus mallon disqualified following successful uup election petition on grounds ineligible member of seanad Éireann @ time. on unionist side uup gained clear lead on dup, while uuup failed make impact and, result, folded 2 years later. in centre alliance consolidated 10 seats including unexpected wins in north , west belfast. workers party failed make breakthrough despite respectable vote shares in places north , west belfast.