AT LEAST three threats of legal challenges to details of the forthcoming elections emerged yesterday as nominations closed in the North.
The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) has indicated it will seek a judicial review if the chief electoral officer, Mr Pat Bradley, concedes the demand by the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, to have his name printed on the ballot papers beside his party's title.
Mr Hugh Smyth, of the PUP, said that such a concession would be unfair, and no one should be given an unfair advantage.
Dr Paisley has already said a legal challenge will be considered if his request to have his name on the ballot paper is refused. He met Mr Bradley yesterday to clarify his request, and said that no decision had yet been taken.
Mr Robert McCartney's party has already been listed in the electoral legislation as the "UK Unionist Party Robert McCartney", and will be given that form on the ballot papers.
Meanwhile, a legal challenge to the electoral legislation has been filed with the European Commission on Human Rights by the former Omagh council chairman, Mr Seamus Kerr.
A legal team retained by Mr Kerr is reported to have identified five alleged contraventions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the text of the recent legislation.