B.C. election uncertainty reflects voter 'frustration,' Eby says as final results pending

More than three hours after the polls closed in British Columbia's nail-biting provincial election, with both the NDP and Conservatives locked in a near standoff, New Democrat Leader David Eby urged his party’s supporters to keep the faith as they waited for the last deciding votes to be counted.

More than three hours after the polls closed in British Columbia's nail-biting provincial election, with both the NDP and Conservatives locked in a near standoff, New Democrat Leader David Eby urged his party’s supporters to keep the faith as they waited for the last deciding votes to be counted.

Neither party had achieved the 47 seats necessary to form a majority government in the B.C. legislature before midnight Saturday, with both the NDP and Conservatives seemingly stalled within striking distance. 

The Greens were poised to hold onto two seats, prompting Eby to declare the night's preliminary results "a clear majority for the progressive values" shared by his party.

"We couldn't have done it without you, and it's not even done," an exasperated Eby proclaimed to supporters in Vancouver.

Several high-profile NDP cabinet ministers retained their seats Saturday, including Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside.

Eby was re-elected in his riding with more than 55 per cent of the vote, knocking off Conservative challenger Paul Ratchford and Green contender Devyani Singh.

"There is also another message in this narrowest of margins," Eby said as the election still hung in the balance. "That we've got to do better, and that was our commitment to British Columbia."