Who is eligible to vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections?

In Northern Ireland Assembly elections, voting eligibility extends to British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizens who are aged 18 or over. This means that a wide range of individuals, including long-term residents and certain foreign nationals with ties to the Commonwealth, have the right to participate in the electoral process.

British citizens can include anyone from the UK, while Irish citizens also have voting rights due to the unique relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland established by the Good Friday Agreement. Commonwealth citizens, who are citizens of member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, are eligible if they meet the age requirement.

This inclusivity reflects Northern Ireland's political context and recognizes the diversity within its population. In contrast, the other options are more restrictive and do not capture the full range of individuals entitled to vote. While UK citizens and EU citizens have voting rights in various elections, the distinction in Northern Ireland's assembly voting reflects its specific electoral law, which goes beyond simplistic citizenship criteria.