IT'S their democratic right to run. But the plethora of minor parties and independents in Fermanagh and South Tyrone muddied the waters and prolonged the counting process.
While the faces may have changed, the political make-up hasn't, with the main parties prevailing and Sinn Féin maintaining its grip.
It returned three MLAs in Jemma Dolan, Colm Gildernew and Aine Murphy, the latter two having put themselves before the electorate for the first time, having been co-opted - Murphy just 38 weeks ago.
Gildernew, a name synonymous with the party in that neck of the woods, said: "It's my first election as a candidate, and it's a hugely humbling experience, seeing the lengths people go to vote for you.
"The other thing I find humbling, and what we all must take account of in this election, is the engagement of the public. People are depending on us. They're engaged. They're involved in politics, and they have sent a very clear message that they want to see progress. They want to see hope."
There had been pre-election optimism from Fermanagh SDLP councillor Adam Gannon and Alliance's Matthew Beaumont, based on the feel-good factor within the yellow rosettes. Any remote hopes of them upsetting the apple cart were blown away, however, because of the presence of other smaller parties and solo runners who diluted that second tier candidacy. There were five exclusions at the first stage, the highest of any constituency.
It was left to the two traditional unionist parties to prevail for the other two seats with, in sporting parlance, a mix of youth and experience.
The youth came from the DUP's Deborah Erskine, a former Fermanagh and Omagh Council member, who'd been co-opted to outgoing party leader and former First Minister Arlene Foster’s seat.
She'll be the youngest female unionist when Stormont returns, and after paying a glowing tribute to her friend and former boss Arlene, she said: "People on the doors wanted a vibrant, youthful unionist voice and I'm delighted they have entrusted me with their vote.
"I want this place to thrive and prosper. I want to fix the health service, grow the economy, keep our schools world class, help working families and remove the Northern Ireland Protocol."
Also elected was a familiar face in the UUP's Tom Elliott (58), who served the constituency as MLA for 12 years up to 2015 and was UUP leader for 18 months during that time before becoming MP for the area.
