The DUP deputy leadership election was a contest that some in the party clearly did not want to have.
And they certainly did not want many knowing about it either.
For days the DUP refused to issue a statement confirming Belfast Live reports that the contest between Gavin Robinson and Jonathan Buckley was even happening.
Read more: DUP defends not publishing vote numbers in deputy leader contest
The radio silence was at odds with DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's assertions later that the contest was considered a "healthy thing".
Given the chaotic experience of the party's last leadership election two years ago, some reluctance may be understandable.
MPs and MLAs travelling to DUP HQ on Friday to cast their votes will have brought back awkward memories of the deep divisions which surfaced when Edwin Poots briefly became leader.
The decision not to release the number of votes each candidate received this time suggests a continued nervousness of tensions remerging.
Had the contest been won by Jonathan Buckley, it would have signalled some wounds from two years ago still have not healed.
The Upper Bann MLA, considered to be in the traditional wing of the party, was previously Mr Poots' chief of staff.
But instead, the favourite Gavin Robinson becoming deputy leader strengthens Sir Jeffrey's position.
The East Belfast MP is the closest of allies to the DUP leader, having run his leadership campaign in 2021 and regularly appearing by his side ever since.
It is unclear whether having Mr Robinson as deputy leader will change Sir Jeffrey's thinking on whether the Lagan Valley MP will personally be returning to Stormont at some stage.
On the one hand he could feel more comfortable leading the party from the Assembly in the knowledge that Mr Robinson is handling matters at Westminster.
But equally, having both DUP leader and deputy leader in Parliament could enable a more collective leadership by installing someone else as Deputy First Minister when the time comes.
For now though, Sir Jeffrey can focus on discussions with the UK government in a bid to address the party's remaining concerns with the Windsor Framework.
With his leadership consolidated, he has a much greater chance of charting a path back to power-sharing while also keeping his party in one piece.
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