Polls close in Nova Scotia election — except for one
The Nova Scotia election has come to a close, with the majority of polls now closed and voters eagerly awaiting the results to see who will be their next premier. Most polling stations closed at 8 p.m. AT, with the exception of one in the riding of Eastern Shore, which will remain open until 9 p.m. due to a delayed opening on Tuesday morning. This means that the results will be delayed until 9 p.m., although the vote count will begin at 8 p.m.
Polls indicate that Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservatives are poised to not only retain power for a second term but also potentially gain a supermajority. In Nova Scotia, a supermajority requires two-thirds of the seats in the House of Assembly, which currently amounts to 37 out of 55 seats. This majority would allow the government to change procedural rules without the need for opposition party cooperation.
Houston called a snap election on Oct. 27, bypassing the fixed election date set for July 15, 2025, by his own government’s election law. Analysts believe this move was strategic to capitalize on the unpopularity of the Trudeau government. If re-elected, Houston aims to strengthen his position to challenge Ottawa on key issues like carbon pricing.
However, critics argue that the main concerns for voters are housing, affordability, and healthcare, rather than federal negotiations. Throughout the campaign, all three parties focused on these key issues, making similar promises and leaving voters to discern the differences between their platforms.
The NDP, hopeful of becoming the Official Opposition after being in third place since 2013, is in a close race with the Liberals for the second spot. NDP Leader Claudia Chender emphasized housing, healthcare, and the cost of living as pivotal issues for voters.
Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Zach Churchill reiterated his party’s commitment to providing relief for renters, criticizing the Tory government’s rent cap for failing to prevent rent hikes through fixed-term leases loopholes.
Early voting numbers were slightly lower than the previous election, with over 160,000 early ballots cast. This figure is higher than the 2017 election but slightly less than the total from 2021. With 788,427 registered voters in the province, the outcome of the election is eagerly anticipated.
As the results unfold, Nova Scotians wait anxiously to see who will lead their province in the coming years and address the pressing issues that matter most to its residents.
