DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has denied his party's warnings of Sinn Féin ambitions for a border poll are scare tactics in a bid to win votes.
Launching his party's Assembly election manifesto, Sir Jeffrey said it was "not about scaring anyone" but pointing out the "real choice" people have next week.
The Lagan Valley MP also said people want the Stormont institutions to work, but they need to be reformed.
The DUP's 60-page document pitches a "five-point plan" focused on growing the economy, supporting the NHS, improving education, easing cost-of-living pressures and removing Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol.
Read more: Seven DUP officers quit party to back TUV candidate
Proposals include an extra £1billion to cut hospital waiting lists and 30 hours of free childcare per week for families.
At a launch event in a factory in Co Armagh, the DUP repeatedly warned that Sinn Féin becoming the largest party would embolden its plans for a "divisive" referendum on a united Ireland.
Sinn Féin's election manifesto priorities include securing a date for a border poll, but the party has sought to focus its campaign on issues such as the cost-of-living crisis.
Asked whether the DUP was using "scare tactics", Sir Jeffrey said: "Look, this is not about scaring anyone. It is about pointing out the real choice that people have in this election.
"We are not inventing this. Right at the heart of the Sinn Féin manifesto is their demand for a date for a border poll.
"Before the election they were off to the States and they were publishing big adverts in the Washington Post and in the New York Times. What is that all about if it is not about preparing their supporters in Irish America for their next big push.
"It is not about helping ordinary households who are worried about how they are going to pay their energy bills, it is not about sorting out the issues around the Protocol, it is not about fixing the health service, it is about pushing their agenda for a border poll and a united Ireland."
Speaking in Craigavon on a stage surrounded by his party's Assembly candidate team, the DUP leader added: "We are simply pointing out that is the choice in this election.
"I make no apology for pointing out the glaringly obvious in this election campaign.
"While we are focusing on the issues which matter to ordinary people, they are focusing on their real agenda which is to pursue their plans for a border poll.
"I believe the DUP are going to win this election, but suppose Mary Lou McDonald or Michelle O'Neill are standing up next week to declare a Sinn Féin victory, does anyone seriously believe that in their victory speech the border poll issue won't be front and centre?
"I am simply alerting people to that reality and giving them a clear choice in this election."
The DUP collapsed Stormont's power-sharing Executive in February in protest against the Protocol and has warned it will not re-enter government while the so-called Irish Sea border remains.
Its manifesto said any new arrangements must restore Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market and have the support of unionists and nationalists.
Sir Jeffrey said he believed people did want to see Stormont work.
He added: "I think we do need to see change. We would like to see reform of how our political institutions operate.
"We would like to move towards the concept of a voluntary coalition.
"I think people are looking for change, but fundamentally they want Stormont to work, they want Stormont to deliver and they want Stormont to stay."
Sir Jeffrey also argued his party's manifesto is "progressive", listing pledges on free childcare and a fair funding model for schools.
He added: "And yes, I have to say I think removing the Irish Sea border will be an enormously progressive act for the people of Northern Ireland."
Read more: Seven DUP officers quit party to back TUV candidate
Read more: Council boss 'nominated DUP MLA for Queen's honour'
For the latest politics news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
