BC Election Results Leave Outcome Unclear and Recounts Certain

The results of British Columbia’s provincial election are too close to call, in what may go down as the closest election in Canadian history. Preliminary vote counts are showing a razor-thin margin between the incumbent New Democratic Party (NDP) and the BC Conservatives. As of early Sunday morning, the NDP are leading or elected in 46 ridings, while the BC Conservatives hold 45. The Green Party held on to two seats, though their party leader , Sonia Furstenau lost her seat to NDP candidate Grace Lore.

The B.C. Provincial Legislature has 93 total seats, meaning a Party must win 47 ridings to form a majority government. The Green Party won only two seats, but they may emerge as kingmakers in a minority government situation. Still, it is too early to predict any outcome given only a few dozen votes separate the winner from the loser in some of the tightly contested ridings.

While Elections BC has counted 99.7 per cent of the votes, ballots cast by voters outside their districts are still being counted. These could prove pivotal in determining the outcome, and officials say it may take until October 25 to announce a result.