MICHELLE O'Neill has said there is no reason for an executive not to be formed this week.
Ms O'Neill was speaking after her poll topping success in Mid Ulster was formally declared at Meadowbank Sports Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The former deputy first minister secured 10,845 first preference votes to set her party up for a historic performance.
Ms O'Neill eased past the 8,615 quota with more than 2,000 votes to spare on Friday. Her surplus brought in her running mates Linda Dillon and Emma Sheerin on the second count.
Flanked by party leader Mary Lou McDonald Ms O'Neill said it is important for all parties to now take their place at Stormont.
"The people have spoken so our job now is to turn up," she said.
"Leadership matters, equality matters, turning up matters.
"There's no reason for any delay we should have an executive next week.
"We should agree a programme for government, we should put money into people's pockets, that's what people voted for and they expect us now in turn to respond."
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Ms O'Neill said she expects "others to turn up also".
"Lets work together and lets do the business for the public," she said.
"They have asked that of us."
The DUPs Keith Buchanan put up a strong showing falling just short of the quota with 8,521 first preference votes.
He was comfortably elected at stage six after picking up the necessary transfers.
He said the prospect of Michelle O'Neill becoming first minister would have a psychological impact on unionists.
"It's probably more psychological for unionism, yes, for west of the Bann people have been used with nationalism at councils etc," he said.
"Maybe more east they are not be used with that. We are used with that in the west. I suppose whenever you add up the numbers over the past ten years eventually that was going to one day happen and whenever the figures are collected up tonight that may happen.
"So it's more of a psychological blow, yes. But we still have to try and work with people."
The SDLPs Patsy McGlone secured 5,411 first preference votes and was elected at the ninth stage.
He said there was a need for respect.
"The message is at two levels, we have to create a society at ease with itself and a society which brings about respect for everyone," he said.
"But, there are hugely pressing immediate issues.
"Whenever we were around the doors there was a lot of very difficult cases.
"People waiting for medical attention, people literally who couldn't afford to heat their houses."
