The electorate in Northern Ireland will head to polling stations to cast their vote in the Assembly election on Thursday, May 5.
But why is it only pencils that are available to voters (often attached on a length of string in the polling booth) when they write down their voting preferences? The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland has explained why.
It said pencils are used as they are less likely to tear the ballot paper, and have been considered cheaper as well as easier to store between elections.
