Canada elections results 2019: What time can we expect a result?
CANADA’S elections are taking place today, with millions of Canadians expected to cast their votes. What time can we expect a result?
Canada hasn't gone 'ANYWHERE' with Trudeau says Scheer
Justin Trudeau is fighting for his political life after a series of scandals this year rocked his campaign for re-election. Mr Trudeau’s Liberal Party swept to power in 2015, gaining 184 out of 338 seats in Canada’s House of Commons.
But polling data so far doesn’t look too positive for the premier.
The latest survey has suggested Mr Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada is facing strong opposition from Andrew Scheer’s Conservative Party of Canada.
After almost ten years of Conservative government in the country, Justin Trudeau brought about a resurgence of liberalism in Canada when he won the election in 2015.
However, since becoming Prime Minister a series of scandals have cast doubt on Mr Trudeau’s chances of gaining a second term in government.
With everything hanging in the balance, and no certainty over who will come out victorious, Canada is now desperately awaiting news of who will govern the country for the next four years.
READ MORE: Canada election polls: Could today be the END of Trudeau?
What time can we expect a result?
Polls are open for 12 hours in Canada, but times polling stations close differs depending on time zones.
Votes will be counted on Monday evening, where polling stations will be closed and votes will be counted by Elections Canada officials.
In Canada, a constituency is known as a ‘riding’, or a circonscription in Canadian French.
Once the polls in a riding are closed, preliminary results are announced and published on the Elections Canada website.
A returning officer then validates the results, and announces the validated results to the candidates.
If the vote is very close or tied, it may be the ballots need to be counted again in a judicial recount, which means a judge would preside over the recount.
DON'T MISS:
Trudeau's China policy could cost him in Canadian elections [ANALYSIS]
Trudeau branded a ‘fraud’ during heated election tv debate [VIDEO]
How Justin Trudeau's slide could be brilliant news for Brexit Britain [INSIGHT]
Canada operates a first past the post election system, and the candidate in a riding who receives the most votes becomes their member of Parliament (MP).
Results are expected to begin trickling in after polls have closed.
These results will be covered by Canadian TV and online media.
In most circumstances, the political party with the most MPs will then form a government.
When do polls close?
Voting hours at polling stations differ depending on the province and time zone.
The Elections Canada website states the hours polling stations will open (hours in local time):
- Newfoundland Time 8.30am - 8.30pm
- Atlantic Time - 8.30am - 8.30pm
- Eastern Time 9.30am - 9.30pm
- Central Time 8.30am - 8.30pm
- Mountain Time 7.30am - 7.30pm
- Pacific Time 7am - 7pm
In Saskatchewan, when daylight saving time is in effect for the rest of the country, voting hours are from 7.30am - 7.30pm local time.