Canadians await results as vote counting begins

Vote counting was under way in Canada late on Monday in a tight election seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

His Liberal Party and Andrew Scheer's Conservatives were neck-and-neck according to polls in the leadup to the election.

Because of the tight race and the fact that ballots are counted by hand, the results will likely be decided late Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

For the most part, voting went smoothly across the country. Elections Canada did, however, receive reports of robocalls in eastern Canada directing people to vote on Tuesday, the day after election day.

Trudeau cast his ballot in his riding of Papineau in Montreal with his family when polls opened Monday morning. Trudeau is hoping for a second term, but has faced several recent scandals - from ethics violations to revelations he wore blackface - that could undermine his support.

His government's decision to buy the Trans Mountain oil pipeline in western Canada for 4.5 billion Canadian dollars (US$3.45bn) has proven unpopular with voters on the left, while those on the right are not happy with his carbon-pricing plan.

Conservative leader Scheer cast his ballot Monday afternoon in his Regina riding, flanked by his wife and three kids.

Source: Agencies

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