Early tallies indicate that pre-election favourite Claire Hanna will hold on to the seat she won for the first time in 2019.
The constituency was the last of the four Belfast seats to have all its ballot boxes arrive at the centre. Some of the ballots, from areas such as Moneyreagh, had further to travel to make their way to the Titanic Exhibition Centre.
Who has been elected in Northern Ireland? Full results from Westminster election.
By 1am, Ms Hanna has not yet made an appearance at the count, although South Belfast MLA and Leader of the Opposition at Stormont, Matthew O’Toole, is present amongst the SDLP camp, They appeared relaxed and confident.
While the majority of 15,000 votes she won back in 2019 is likely to have decreased, Ms Hanna is still expected to be returned as MP for the constituency, early tallies appeared to predict.
Boundary Commission changes have not greatly altered the demographic – it is still regarded as one of the most socially, ethnically and religiously diverse across the north.
Once a unionist stronghold, the growing diversity of this seat has lent itself to an increase in Alliance support.
Alliance candidate Kate Nicholl, an MLA for the constituency and former Lord Mayor of Belfast, is expected to put up a strong fight against Ms Hanna - very early tallies have her in second place.
Ms Nicholl has been at the count since the first ballot boxes arrived and in the early stages seemed to be in good spirits, looking confident that she will put in a strong performance when the results come through.
