Voter turnout in the 2004 election was lower than in any national election since Confederation in 1867, according to preliminary reports.

At 60.5 per cent, turnout was down from 2000, when it hit the previous low of 61.2 per cent.

Only in the 1898 referendum on liquor prohibition – when just 44.6 per cent of the electorate cast a ballot – did a smaller proportion of Canadian voters participate in any nationwide poll.

Monday's turnout of 60.5 per cent would suggest that only about 13.5 million of the roughly 22.3 million eligible Canadians bothered to exercise their democratic right to choose who they want to govern.

However there were some conflicting reports, with the Toronto Star reporting that "fewer than 13 million" Canadians voted.

The newspaper also reported that Prince Edward Island, at 70 per cent, had the highest turnout of any province

The Canadian Press said 2004 turnout was about 62 per cent, roughly the same as the last election in 2000.

But according to Elections Canada, voter turnout in 2000 was 61.2 per cent, the second lowest ever, if the 1898 referendum is included in statistics.

Elections Canada's website was not displaying any 2004 turnout data early on Tuesday.