CONSTITUENCY PROFILE: NORTH BELFAST; ELECTION '07: 13 DAYS TO GO.

ELECTIONS in North Belfast are usually decided by a sectarian headcount.

However, this time around Raymon d McCord, whose son was murdered by the UVF, is hoping to change the pattern.

And his bid for a seat adds spice to what would otherwise be a very predictable race.

Sinn Fein policing spokesman Gerry Kelly will be confident of holding his vote despite opposition to support for the PSNI among some nationalists.

His running partner Caral Ni Chuilin is a direct replacement for MLA Cathy Staunton.

Sitting MLA and MP for the area Nigel Dodds was a poll-topper in 2003. He will be hoping to carry party colleagues Nelson McCausland and William Humphrey over the line.

The UUP's challenge for a seat, spearheaded by sitting MLA FredCobain, could falter but Robert McCartney's drive for disaffected DUP votes may help the Ulster Unionist cause.

The SDLP's Alban Maginness should retain his seat although fellow runner Pat Convery seems unlikely to claim a second berth.

While the Greens and Alliance will mop up spare votes, their challenge isn't likely to be significant.

MIRROR PREDICTION: The DUP to claim a third seat at the expense of the UUP, Sinn Fein retaining its two seats and the SDLP holding its seat.

POTENTIAL SHOCK: Raymond McCord could claim a seat.

CANDIDATES: Fred Cobain (UUP); Pat Convery (SDLP); Nigel Dodds (DUP); Peter Emerson (Green Party); Rainbow George (Making Politicians History); William Joseph Humphrey (DUP); Gerard Kelly (SF); John Lavery (Workers' Party) Alban Maginness (SDLP); Robert Law Mc- Cartney (UKUP); Nelson McCausland (DUP); Raymond McCord (Ind); Thomas McCullough (Alliance Party); Caral Ni Chuilin (SF).

Belfast North

2003 Assembly election:

Nigel Dodds (DUP) 9,276

Gerry Kelly (SF) 5,524

Alban Maginness (SDLP) 3,186

Kathy Stanton (SF) 2,990

Fred Cobain (UUP) 2,961

Nelson McCausland (DUP) 1,500