The DUP is to hold a leadership election later this week with the deputy leader position expected to be contested.
Paula Bradley has been DUP deputy leader since 2021 but it is unclear if she will be standing again for the post.
DUP MPs and MLAs are expected to vote at the party's headquarters in East Belfast on Friday, sources told Belfast Live.
Read more: Call for gender quotas in NI elections as only a third of councillors are women
It is believed nominations closed on Tuesday afternoon.
The result would then be ratified at a later date at a meeting of the wider party executive which involves delegates from constituency associations.
Ms Bradley and the DUP were approached for comment.
Several DUP representatives who were asked about the leadership election also declined to comment.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's position as DUP leader is expected to be endorsed without challenge, with focus instead on who will hold the role of deputy leader.
Ms Bradley became deputy leader during a turbulent time for the DUP in 2021 when Edwin Poots was briefly party leader following a revolt against Arlene Foster.
The former MLA chose not to contest her North Belfast seat in last year's Stormont Assembly election in order to spend more time caring for her elderly parents.
Ms Bradley was later co-opted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and was returned to the local authority in elections last month.
It is unclear who may stand for the deputy leadership role.
With Sir Jeffrey still representing the DUP at Westminster as MP for Lagan Valley, the party may look towards their Assembly team to take up the post of deputy leader.
DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley has been tipped as among those who may wish to put their name forward for the role.
Mr Buckley was approached for comment.
He is currently the party's economy spokesperson and was previously chief of staff during Mr Poots's short-lived tenure as DUP leader.
READ NEXT:
Call for gender quotas in NI elections as only a third of councillors are women
Sinn Fein council election candidate facing 'fraud' complaint over nomination papers
NI council election results 2023: Find out who is elected in your area
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
