The first elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly were held on June 25, 1998.
The result was (first preference votes only) -
| Party | Votes | Vote % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Democratic and Labour Party | 177,963 | 21.99 | 24 |
| Ulster Unionist Party | 172,225 | 21.28 | 28 |
| Democratic Unionist Party | 145,917 | 18.03 | 20 |
| Sinn Féin | 142,858 | 17.65 | 18 |
| Alliance Party of Northern Ireland | 52,636 | 6.50 | 6 |
| UK Unionist Party | 36,541 | 4.52 | 5 |
| Independent Unionists | 24,339 | 3.00 | 3 |
| Progressive Unionist Party | 20,634 | 2.55 | 2 |
| Northern Ireland Women's Coalition | 13,019 | 1.61 | 2 |
See also: Northern Ireland Assembly Election, 2003