Polls have closed in the Quebec election, and the counting has begun in what could be the closest race in the province in more than a century.
Three parties all claim to have a shot at forming the next government in Monday's vote: Jean Charest's Liberals are seeking a second term in power, being chased closely by André Boisclair and the Parti Québécois. And relative newcomer Mario Dumont's Action Démocratique du Québec party has also had a strong showing.
Voter turnout was reported high despite the midday drizzle in much of Quebec.
By mid-afternoon, a third of the 5.5 million eligible voters had cast ballots, leading observers to speculate that voter turnout could surpass the 70 per cent record high set in 2003.
The Liberals, PQ and ADQ, as well as 10 other parties, including Québec Solidaire and the Green Party of Quebec, are all on the ballot.
Under Quebec law, employers had to provide workers with at least four consecutive hours to go vote when polls are open.
More than 560,000 Quebecers — about 10 per cent of eligible voters — had already cast their votes during advance polling held on March 18 and 19.
Advance ballots were being counted at the same time as regular ballots Monday evening.
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| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIB | 48 | 0 | 48 | 33.08% |
| ADQ | 41 | 0 | 41 | 30.80% |
| PQ | 36 | 0 | 36 | 28.32% |
| QS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.65% |
| GRN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.89% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .26% |
| Last Update:March 27, 12:52:21 AM EDT | ||||
Quebec Votes 2007 Headlines »
- Que. Liberals take minority win with grain of salt
- Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he'll build bridges with the Parti Québécois and the Action Démocratique du Québec to ensure a stable minority government.
- Dumont will work with Quebec Premier Charest
- Quebec's new Opposition Leader Mario Dumont said he wants stability at the national assembly and pledged to work with the Liberal minority government on a case-by-case basis.
- Boisclair remains at helm after PQ finishes 3rd
- André Boisclair is staying on as leader of the Parti Québécois and vowed to help rebuild the fractured party after it suffered major losses in Monday's provincial election.
- Quebec election result 'good news' for Canada: PM
- Stephen Harper says voters in the Quebec election have used their ballots to reject calls for another referendum in a "great result" for Canada.
- Charest keeps seat as Liberals cling to power in Quebec
- Quebecers are waking up to a minority Liberal government — the first minority in the province in 130 years — and a new official Opposition.