Polls closed in Newfoundland and Labrador's election Tuesday evening, as candidates awaited the public's word on whether the governing Tories will be granted a second term.
Progressive Conservative Leader Danny Williams, seeking a second mandate, appealed to voters throughout the three-week campaign to support his hard-nosed stand on greater autonomy in managing the province's resources.
Tory leader Danny Williams checks his ballot as he votes in the provincial election at a polling station in Corner Brook on Tuesday.
(Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
More than 353,000 voters were eligible to cast a ballot.
Fighting Williams have been Liberal Leader Gerry Reid and New Democrat Leader Lorraine Michael, both of whom have said the province's newly found oil wealth has done little for rural areas or to address social needs.
The PCs headed into the election, the 18th in Newfoundland and Labrador since Confederation with Canada in 1949, with 34 of the house of assembly's 48 seats. The Liberals held 11 seats. Michael held the NDP's only seat and there were two vacancies.
When polls close at 8 p.m. NT, the PCs are guaranteed at least one seat. Roger Fitzgerald was declared elected in Bonavista South district on Friday, after Liberal Clayton Hobbs withdrew for health reasons.
The election was cancelled in Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans district, after Liberal candidate Gerry Tobin died last week of a heart attack.
Chief electoral officer Paul Reynolds announced Tuesday that polling day in that district will be held Nov. 6. Nominations close Oct. 27.
Across the province Tuesday, party volunteers trying to bring out the vote were often confronted with cool temperatures and rainy weather.
All of the parties have expressed concerns about voter turnout, in part because of public outrage over a series of reports that Auditor General John Noseworthy has released about spending at the house of assembly.
Several audits have led to criminal charges against four former politicians, from three political parties. A civil servant was also suspended.
Noseworthy's most recent report, released just days before the writ was dropped, disclosed inappropriate use of constituency allowances, including personal items that included wine, art and luxury goods.
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| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 43 | 0 | 43 | 69.56% |
| LIB | 3 | 0 | 3 | 21.98% |
| NDP | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8.21% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .25% |
| Last Update:October 9, 10:58:12 PM NDT | ||||
| Unofficial results were updated at the time shown. For more recent results, visit Elections NL. The CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites. External links will open in a new window. |
NL Votes 2007 »
- Williams faces daunting task of managing expectations
- Handed one of the most commanding mandates in Newfoundland and Labrador's history, Premier Danny Williams says he expects to face a cascade of requests for help during his second term.
- Former minister calls Liberal collapse 'catastrophic'
- Able to put their combined caucuses around a single card table, Newfoundland and Labrador's opposition parties are grappling with what life will be like in the shadow of a massive Tory majority.
- Efford keeping keen eye on Liberal leadership
- Former cabinet minister John Efford didn't hesitate Wednesday to indicate he is more than interested in taking over the reins of Newfoundland and Labrador's bedraggled Liberals.
- Williams leads Tory landslide in N.L.
- Danny Williams and his Progressive Conservatives were swept back into office Tuesday night by a massive lead over their political opponents.
- Heartbreak for Liberals as Grit vote collapses
- Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberals were overwhelmed Tuesday night, as a Tory wave of support claimed districts that had long been in the Grit camp.