The DUP's decade-long dominance of Stormont will be significantly dented when the north goes to the polls in exactly a month's time, responses to a voter survey predict.
The first of three 'Tracker' polls by Belfast-based LucidTalk between now and election day also reveals that embattled former First Minister Arlene Foster's performance is rated the lowest of all the north's party leaders.
Carried out over three days last week, the survey is based on the responses of 1,580 prospective voters and is described by LucidTalk as a "robust and accurate".
Based on which party respondents are planning to give their first preference vote to on March 2, the research shows the DUP and Sinn Féin almost neck-and-neck, with a 25.87 per cent and 25.1.per cent share of the vote respectively.
If the poll's predictions were to become a reality - margin of error is +/- 3 per cent - if would mean the DUP's share of the vote would drop by 3.3 per cent.
Sinn Féin, on the other hand, is forecast to enjoy a modest lift under new northern leader Michelle O'Neill, improving on its 24 per cent share of the vote at last May's assembly election.
With the SDLP's share of the vote rising by a slight 0.36 per cent margin, the survey predicts an overall increase in the nationalist vote, bucking the trend of recent elections. Conversely, the poll forecasts a drop in the total vote for unionist parties from 47.9 per cent in last May's election to 46.3 this time around.
The loss for DUP looks in part to be the Ulster Unionists' gain, with Mike Nesbitt's party increasing its share of the vote by 1.3 per cent to 13.9 per cent.
The so-called middle ground will also enjoy a fillip, with both Alliance and the Greens improving their respective share of the vote by 1.9 per cent (to 8.9 per cent) and and 1.2 per cent (to 3.86 per cent).
There was also a good showing for Alliance when LucidTalk asked respondents about each leader's performance. New leader Naomi Long was rated highest at 52.2 per cent, while Mrs Foster was left languishing at the bottom with 21.6 per cent.
Despite being only a matter of days in the job, Ms O'Neill was rated at 46.1 per cent, while Mike Nesbitt scored 44.5 per cent and Colum Eastwood 43.3 per cent.
Asked which issue was at the top of their agenda in the snap election, a majority of respondents said the health service.
Despite dominating the headlines in recent weeks, the Renewable Heat Incentive sits second among people's concerns, ahead of education, equality, jobs, Brexit and Irish unity.
DUP director of elections Nigel Dodds said the poll showed Sinn Féin could return to Stormont with the most seats and take the first minister’s post.
"Then there will be nothing to stop them implementing their radical agenda for Northern Ireland – just imagine what that would mean for our way of life?"
The DUP deputy leader said there was a "real danger" of the unionist vote splitting:
"So if the people of Northern Ireland really want to stop Sinn Féin from getting power and implementing their radical agenda for Northern Ireland, then you cannot risk splitting the unionist vote – you must vote DUP."
