Co-opted MLAs: Election means four new assembly members for Stormont

The co-option system is used to fill vacancies at Stormont.

The process most commonly takes place after an election, resignation or death.

Stormont’s elected politicians are allowed to run in Westminster elections when they are Assembly members.

But it’s against the current rules to be both an Assembly member and a Member of Parliament at the same time.

Once seats become vacant, the co-option process can take place, as laid out in Section B of the Northern Ireland (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2009., external

Step one is for the party of the MLA to nominate a replacement within seven days.

The Chief Electoral Officer will then write to the nominee asking them to confirm within seven days that they are willing and able to take up the post.

In the case of independents, it’s up to them to choose their replacements.

Before his death, the late David McClarty chose Claire Sugden to replace him in the East Londonderry seat.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra, Alex Easton said he felt a weight of responsibility in choosing who to co-opt into his MLA seat.

He said: “The electorate matter a lot to me and its important that I try and get things right.”

He admitted that there were plenty of “rumoured names”, throughout the election period, but he hopes to “make an announcement at the end of the week.”

Mr Easton said the decision hasn’t been easy as “not everybody fancies being an MLA and all of the baggage that goes with that, it’s a big thing for people to undertake.”