Vote counting begins as polls close in Saskatoon Meewasin byelection

Votes are now being counted to determine who will be thenew Saskatchewan MLA forSaskatoon Meewasin.

Polling at 50 booths across the city ridingfinished at 8 p.m. CST.

The seat has been empty since the death of SaskatchewanParty MLA Roger Parent on Nov. 30, 2016. The 63-year-old had represented the constituencysince 2011.

• Saskatoon MLA Roger Parent, 63, dies in hospital

• Latest poll puts NDP and Sask. Party in dead heat for SaskatoonMeewasinbyelection

• NDP takes early lead in Saskatoonbyelectionrace: poll

Five candidates are running for the seat, including two provincial party leaders:

• Darrin Lamoureux, Saskatchewan Liberal Party.
• Ryan Meili, New Democratic Party.
• Brent Penner, Saskatchewan Party.
• David Prokopchuk, Progressive Conservative Party.
• Shawn Setyo, Saskatchewan Green Party.

The two front-runners met for a live debate on CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning on Monday.

According to Elections Saskatchewan, there are 12,120registered voters in Saskatoon Meewasin. More than 1,700 votes were cast at advance polls.

• EXTERNAL LINK: Polling place locator, Saskatoon Meewasin byelection