The DUP has defended not publishing the number of votes cast for each candidate in the party's deputy leadership contest.
Gavin Robinson was elected as the new DUP deputy leader, beating Jonathan Buckley in a vote of party MPs and MLAs.
DUP chairman Lord Morrow announced the outcome but said the candidates had asked for the vote tally to remain a secret.
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Speaking at the party's East Belfast headquarters, he said: "Both candidates have said that they do not wish to have the number of votes cast for each candidate made public.
"We're going to honour that, so that's the way it is, at their wish, and that's the way it's staying."
Lord Morrow acknowledged the party made public the voting numbers in the last leadership contest in 2021.
"We did, but nothing stays the same," he told Belfast Live.
Mr Robinson, who succeeds Paula Bradley as deputy leader, said there was "no point" in continuing to ask about the figures.
The East Belfast MP said: "Not only have Jonny and I both agreed that the figures will not be released, neither of us know what those figures are.
"And so no point asking now, or continuing to ask in a couple of hours, or anybody else enquiring.
"It is a process that we have all engaged in collectively, as part of the party, in accordance with party rules.
"We have done so in the spirit of cooperation, and we go forward in the spirit of cooperation."
Mr Buckley said they were both "content with the process that was carried out by the party".
The Upper Bann MLA added: "This is the joint wish of both of us as candidates.
"A leadership election has happened, the outcome is clear, and we go forward together. And that's all we have to say at this stage. So thank you very much for your time and interest."
In the DUP leadership contest in 2021, Edwin Poots defeated Sir Jeffrey Donaldson by a razor-thin 19 votes to 17, while Paula Bradley beat Gregory Campbell by 18 votes to 16 to become deputy leader.
The contest two years ago happened during a tumultuous period for the party which exposed deep divisions after an internal revolt against Arlene Foster as DUP leader.
Mr Poots quit as DUP leader within three weeks after another internal revolt and the current party leader Sir Jeffrey was later installed unopposed as his successor.
Mr Robinson rejected suggestions the deputy leadership contest showed the DUP remains divided two years on from its leadership turmoil of 2021.
He said the contest was "incredibly healthy" and the DUP had "engaged positively in this democratic event".
He said: "Jonathan and I both stood wanting to represent the best values of this party and knowing that there's a huge job of work to do."
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