A report for UTV Live on the results of the 1996 elections held in Northern Ireland for the Forum. This is a body aimed at advancing the peace process and all parties across the political spectrum in the province stood candidates for it. The Ulster Unionists have topped the poll in terms of seats won, with the DUP in second, followed by the SDLP and Sinn Fein. However, Sinn Fein face exclusion from taking their place in the Forum while the IRA remain engaged in violence.

The cross-community Alliance Party and the hardline UK Unionist Party account for the remainder of the election victories, but the system also guarantees seats for the PUP and UDP (representatives of the main loyalist paramilitary groups), the Women's Coalition and the local Labour Party. Talks are due to begin in just over a week, with no indication that Sinn Fein will be in a position to join.

An Ulster Television Production.