DUP MP Ian Paisley will have to face a by-election if ten per cent of his constituents sign a petition demanding the move.
And from today, registered voters in North Antrim can sign the petition. A by-election will be triggered if ten per cent of constituents put their name to it. This equates to around 7,700 voters.
The move has been prompted by the decision to ban Mr Paisley from Parliament for 30 days after he failed to declare two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.
Mr Paisley has apologised in the Commons. Now, voters in the North Antrim constituency have until September 19 to decide his future.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein representatives have registered their objection to the Electoral Office’s decision to open only three centres with limited hours for the petition.
The petition will be available for signing Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm in Ballymoney’s Joey Dunlop Centre, the Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena and the Sheskburn Recreation Centre in Ballycastle.