B.C. VOTES: Live election coverage

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

May 14, 2013 - 9:28 PM

11:31 p.m.

That wraps up our live coverage for tonight. Stay right here for candidate reactions and ongoing coverage.

11:12 p.m.

Christy Clark: "Well, that was easy."

11:04 p.m.

Christy Clark takes the stage in victory for Liberal party. Still waiting to hear if she will keep her seat.

11:02 p.m.

David Eby still leads by 240 votes, advanced polls not counted yet.

11 p.m.

Eric Foster and Geoff Ingram after Foster is declared the victor.

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

10:26 p.m. - Liberal Eric Foster sums it up in early victory speech

"With no ifs ands or butts, we kicked butt"

While official numbers are yet to be released, it's pretty clear Liberal Eric Foster has been re-elected in Vernon-Monashee. So far, out of 138 ballot boxes reported, Foster carried 6,513 votes, 46.1 per cent. NDP Mark Olsen, with 33.46 per cent of votes was followed by Conservative Scott Anderson with 12.04 per cent.

Foster spoke to reporters about his win moments ago at the Schubert Center, joined by a crowd of supporters.

"It speaks to the hard work we've done in this riding," he says. "I can't wait to get back to Victoria, we've got a bunch of work to get done."

Numbers suggest Foster increased his support since the 2009 election.

"It's because the premier was here, she said I was going to win by more than last time, and I guess she's never wrong," Foster says.

He says he's not surprised by what happened locally, or provincially.

"The voters chose, and they chose to manage our money," he says.

Asked if he was ever concerned about the Conservatives gaining a foothold, Foster said of course he was.

"If you're not concerned about absolutely everything, you will get beat. The Conservatives didn't turn out to be much of a threat."

NDP candidate Mark Olsen, and Conservative Scott Anderson both made brief visits to congratulate Foster.

10:21 p.m.

NDP leader Adrian Dix congratulates Christy Clark and presents his concession speech.

10:12 p.m.

Christy Clark still in fight in own riding.

9:57 p.m.

LIBERALS TO TAKE MAJORITY GOVERNMENT: DECLARED BY CBC NEWS

9:50 p.m.

Eric Foster speaks with media about winning election.

9:48 p.m.

More than 90 polls have reported, more than 90 to go.

9:39 p.m.

CBC News declares a Liberal government.

9:31 p.m.

Christy Clark trailing in her own riding.

9:27 p.m.

Geoff Ingram, field organizer for southern interior liberals, says Eric Foster is ahead based on unofficial numbers trickling in. He says their targeted campaigns paid off, as illustrated by high numbers in areas like Vernon's BX.

It'll be a close race, but Foster will take the cake, Ingram says.

Around 40 supporters are at the Schubert Centre in support of incumbent Eric Foster.