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BC-STV narrowly rejected

For the near future, at least, it would appear that first-past-the-post will continue to be the method B.C. citizens use to elect their government. In a squeaker of a vote - 57.02 per cent to 42.

For the near future, at least, it would appear that first-past-the-post will continue to be the method B.C. citizens use to elect their government.

In a squeaker of a vote - 57.02 per cent to 42.98 per cent - the "no" vote narrowly edged out the pro BC-STV faction. The local vote echoed the provincial numbers with 59.94 per cent of voters in Powell River-Sunshine Coast casting a "yes" vote for BC-STV.

There appeared to be some confusion with an advance poll in Gibsons that had officials there asking the voters if they wished to vote in the referendum.

According to Deanna Paul at the Elections B.C. electoral office, their office had been informed. She said a letter was sent to all voting places after the electoral office became aware of the "misunderstanding." The letter advised that both ballots (for the election of the MLA and the referendum question) were to be presented. The single transferable vote would have become the system for future elections had at least 60 per cent of the valid votes province-wide been in favour of the referendum. The referendum also needed to receive the support of more than 50 per cent of the valid votes in at least 48 of the 79 electoral districts.

Anne Dykes, one of the Sunshine Coast representatives on the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, said the close vote indicates people want a different system.

"It really conclusively shows there is a desire for change," Dykes said.

The Roberts Creek woman held numerous information sessions leading up to the vote on May 17. While the government funded the citizens' assembly, there was no budget to inform people on the single transferable vote, a fact another citizens' assembly alumna deplores.

"A 60 per cent threshold is without precedent, and the lack of an effective public information campaign was a significant handicap," said Shoni Field, co-chair of the citizens' assembly. "British Columbians are not served well in this situation."

Premier Gordon Campbell has been asked to reconsider the question should it be necessary after the final count, which will start May 30.

As of press time there were still 10 electoral districts that had not completed an initial count.