The recall of the assembly began at noon
The Stormont executive has not fully functioned since May's election
The DUP have refused to nominate a speaker as part of their protest over the NI Protocol
The assembly cannot convene without a Speaker
After May's election, the parties had 24 weeks to form an executive - the deadline is midnight
If there is no restoration of the power-sharing executive the Northern Ireland secretary has said he will call another election
As it stands, unless a power-sharing executive is formed or the law is changed before Friday 28 October, the parties will once again have to make their case to the electorate.
BBC News NI has assessed how Northern Ireland politics has reached this point, and whether an election can still be avoided.
Image source, GettyIf political deadlock cannot be broken before midnight tonight, Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, insists he will call an election.
Mr Heaton-Harris has consistently said in recent weeks he will call one, rather than try to delay it or avoid it with fresh legislation at Westminster.
The most likely date for a poll is 15 December.
Image source, PA MediaThe DUP pulled out of the power-sharing executive in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol, a part of the UK-EU Brexit deal which keeps Northern Ireland aligned with some EU trade rules.
This was designed to ensure goods could move freely across the Irish land border, from the UK into an EU member state, the Republic of Ireland.
However, in turn, the protocol imposed some new checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The DUP, which had backed Brexit, has argued the protocol has undermined Northern Ireland's position within the UK.
Image source, PA MediaDUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (centre) says issues over the Protocol must be resolved before they return to Stormont
As a result, in February 2022, the DUP's Paul Givan resigned as first minister, collapsing the executive.
Since May's election the party has continued this protest.
Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) have all urged the DUP to return to the executive table.
Image source, PA MediaThe Assembly is being recalled at 12.00 BST today.
Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party have backed a motion to bring back assembly members for a special sitting.
Northern Ireland's politicians have until midnight to restore the power-sharing executive - or face new elections.
They are calling on the DUP to support the election of an assembly Speaker and stop blocking the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive.
The DUP brought down the executive in February when Paul Givan resigned as first minister.
After May's election the party then refused to support the nomination of a speaker.