To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many election petitions have been heard in the courts in Northern Ireland since 2000; what the outcome was of each case in which no proceedings are active; which election each concerned; and what the nature was of the petition. (129411)

There has only been one election petition heard in the courts in Northern Ireland since 2000. This was in relation to a polling place at the parliamentary election in 2001 which remained open after the statutory closing time of 10.00 pm. The court determined that the votes polled after 10.00 pm had not affected the result.