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So another election is on the way, and once again BBC Newsline will be pulling out the stops to make sure you have all the information you need to make your choice when May 6th rolls round. Like most journalists, I love elections. The rise in the political temperature puts everyone on their mettle and adds an element of tension and expectation to every political encounter. The cut and thrust of debate between politicians and between politicians and journalists takes on an extra edge, with the candidates wary of coming out with anything which would frighten off a potential voter, and the journalists eager to make the politicians commit themselves to positions and policies to which they can be held should they be successful. For BBC Newsline, the challenge is to keep election coverage fresh and compelling. We try to make it relevant to you, our viewers, by illustrating how the campaigns and the promises they make will affect your everyday life. And we offer you, as much as we can in the limited daily time available, the opportunity to put your questions to the politicians. So this year I'll be out on our outside broadcast vehicle each Friday between now and the election, in Banbridge, in Portrush, Enniskillen and in Belfast, with a live panel of politicians, putting to them some of the questions you have sent us. And over the next four weeks on BBC Newsline we'll have constant updates about the individual constituencies around Northern Ireland and the political personalities challenging for the right to represent them at Westminster. So I do hope you'll tune in and join us on this latest short and exciting electoral journey, the four weeks will go by in a flash. BBC Newsline Election Roadshows Between now and the election, BBC Newsline will be live, local and listening to people about what's concerning them in each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies. Every Friday Noel Thompson will be out and about putting your questions on a variety of issues to the candidates standing for Westminster. This week, he will be in Banbridge discussing interface areas, education and parades. If you have a question on any of those subjects please send them to us. Email us at bbcnewsline@bbc.co.uk or text the word Newsline followed by your comments to 63399. You can also phone 03704 111 630.
In the fifth of our constituency profiles, Julian O'Neill visits Lagan Valley.
Lagan Valley In the fourth of our constituency profiles, BBC Newsline takes a look at the issues in Lagan Valley. It is an overwhelmingly unionist area which is home to the Secretary of State's official residence. The sitting MP is Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP. Just over 66,000 people can vote there. Lagan Valley is one of the most prosperous constituencies in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's high-security prison is also located there and, until recently, the only city in the constituency did not have a hotel. BBC Newsline's Julian O'Neill is on that city of Lisburn where he took a look at planning.
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