Upper Bann: Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, was elected on the first count in Upper Bann last night.
However, the DUP significantly increased its vote on 1998 and looked set to double its representation in the constituency.
Sinn Féin performed very strongly, pulling clear of the SDLP in a major reversal of the 1998 Assembly election.
Mr Trimble received 9,158 votes. No DUP candidate was elected on the first count but Mr David Simpson and Mr Stephen Moutray looked certain to be returned later.
The UUP leader should also bring in a running-mate on his transfers. Mr Samuel Gardiner, a Trimble loyalist, looks the most likely.
He polled 2,359 votes compared to Mr George Savage (1,269). Observers claimed Mr Savage had watered down his previous support for the Agreement in order to woo hardline unionist voters. "It has clearly backfired on him," one said last night.
Mr Trimble said he was delighted with his party's performance in Upper Bann.
"We have increased our share of first preference votes on 1998.
"We expect to have another candidate elected on later counts. I'm very pleased at the level of support we have received here and across Northern Ireland." Commenting on Sinn Féin's increased support in the constituency, Mr Trimble said: "Nationalists are voting Sinn Féin in the belief that it has abandoned violence and is completely committed to peaceful and democratic means.
"Republicans now need to convince unionists of that." Local DUP businessman, Mr David Simpson, polled 5,933 votes. He seems set to secure a seat and be joined in the Assembly by party colleague, Mr Moutray.
In the last Assembly election, Sinn Féin got 15 per cent of the vote in comparison to 24 per cent for the SDLP.
This time, Sinn Féin pulled clearly ahead, securing 9494 votes to 6818 for the SDLP.
Both parties are expected to win a seat each. However, Sinn Fein's former Assembly member, Ms Dara O'Hagan (3970), lagged behind party colleague, Mr John O'Dowd (5524), who will certainly be elected.
Mr Dennis Watson, a prominent Orange Order figure and former Assembly member, who was previously elected on an independent unionist ticket, polled the least strongly of the DUP's three candidates.
Another Portadown Orange Order leader, Mr Davy Jones, who stood as an independent, only secured 585 votes.
The second independent unionist candidate, Mr Sidney Anderson, polled 581 votes.
The DUP's Mr David Simpson said: "When the votes of the two anti-Agreement unionists are added to our total, the UUP was beaten by 1,000 votes in its leader's constituency. We are delighted."