But we don't know when
Speaking this afternoon in Belfast, the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said that he did not have to call an election immediately.
And he said he will announce further details next week.
He said he had "limited options" ahead of him, saying he was under a legal duty to call an election within 12 weeks.
He also denied he was doing a U-turn over a pre-Christmas election.
Previously he said he would call one immediately after last night's deadline for a restoration of the Executive, which passed at midnight.
Earlier, in a post on social media Mr Heaton-Harris said he was "extremely disappointed" that a Stormont executive had not been reformed.
I am extremely disappointed that the Executive has not reformed.
The people of Northern Ireland deserve a fully-functioning devolved government.
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— Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) October 28, 2022
