High drama in Canadian elections

Prime Minister Paul Martin battled to stave off defeat yesterday in what could be one of Canada’s closest elections ever.

Polls show a virtual tie between the Conservative Party and Mr Martin’s Liberals, who have held power for 11 years

Mr Martin, in his first election after succeeding Jean Chretien last year, has conceded that the Liberals are likely to lose their majority in parliament.

He hopes at least to win more seats than the resurgent Conservative Party in today’s national election.

Unless the Liberals and Conservatives choose to cooperate, the balance of power would rest with the left-wing New Democratic Party and the Bloc Quebecois.

The Bloc advocates independence for Quebec and is expected to win most of the 75 seats from the French-speaking province.