Saskatchewan voters will be heading to the polls Nov. 7.

In front of a cheering crowd at a Saskatoon hotel Wednesday night, NDP Leader Lorne Calvert announced that the 26th provincial general election will be held in 28 days — also on a Wednesday.

NDP Leader Lorne Calvert was cheered on by supporters as he announced the election call Wednesday.
(Stefani Langenegger/CBC)

"Let's go win an election," Calvert said as supporters chanted "four more years."

The same day Calvert was declared the NDP's candidate in his Saskatoon Riversdale constituency.

Meanwhile, there were cheers across town, where Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall was rallying his own troops.

"It's time for positive change in the province of Saskatchewan," said Wall.

Calvert announced the election date just after 6 p.m. He was scooped, however, by the office of the chief electoral officer.

At around 5:40 p.m., the Elections Saskatchewan website said that the province's lieutenant-governor, Gordon Barnhart, had dissolved the legislature and that an election would be held on Nov. 7.

Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall said after 16 years of NDP government, it's time for a change.
(CBC)

Election fever has been building for weeks in the province, with the New Democrats, the Saskatchewan Party and the Liberals gearing up ads.

Parties have set up offices, printed up signs and called in their volunteers.

The NDP government also unleashed a torrent of spending announcements over the past month, resulting in more money and programs for nurses, post-secondary students, aboriginal people, artists and musicians.

Both the Saskatchewan Party and the Liberals have rolled out spending proposals of their own.

The last election was held Nov. 5, 2003. As was the case last time, 58 seats will be up for grabs.

Before the legislature was dissolved, the NDP held 30 seats and the Saskatchewan Party had 28.

Hoping to make a breakthrough this time is Liberal Leader David Karwacki.

The Liberals were shut out in the 2003 election and have had no seats in the legislature the past four years.