Voters across Quebec’s 127 ridings flocked to polling stations on Monday for a pivotal election that could usher in a new ruling party.
The Coalition Avenir Québec has held consecutive majority governments in recent elections, but this time around, pre-election polls hinted at a potential shift with the separatist Parti Québécois leading the charge.
As the day unfolded, here are the key updates from the election race:
The Parti Québécois headquarters in Montreal was buzzing with excitement as early results showed the party taking the lead in multiple ridings. Supporters, clad in blue and white, filled the venue, energized by impassioned speeches from candidates.
With the closing of the polls, the voter turnout surpassed previous elections, reaching 68.72%. A majority government necessitates securing 64 out of the 127 seats in the legislature.
At the start of the election, the Coalition Avenir Québec held 79 seats, followed by the Liberals with 18, Québec solidaire with 11, and the Parti Québécois with seven seats. Additionally, there were nine Independents and one Conservative seat.
Amidst the final voting hours, îles-de-la-Madeleine saw its polls close, while the rest of the province rushed to cast their ballots.
Outside the Parti Québécois watch party in Montreal, a group of vocal protesters voiced concerns about police, racism, and the party’s separatist agenda, particularly its impact on First Nations communities. Tight security measures were in place, with police closely monitoring the demonstrators.
By 5 p.m., preliminary data from Élections Québec indicated a voter participation rate slightly exceeding 45%.
