Under the legislation, they must get the signatures of 10 per cent of registered voters in each of the 79 ridings in the province. The Greens got 12 per cent of the vote last week, while the NDP received just under 22 per cent. With only three seats, the NDP are one seat shy of official party status. However, recounts are underway in two Victoria ridings. Premier-elect Gordon Campbell is facing some pressure to grant the NDP official status, which carries more money for research, as well as higher pay for the party leader and other perks.
Critics point out the party received one vote in five.
Campbell campaigned on a platform that included sweeping promises for legislative reform. Included is a pledge to create a citizens' assembly on electoral reform to find alternatives to the current system, which results in parties forming government without necessarily winning most of the popular vote. Proportional representation takes various forms around the world, but the Greens are suggesting a model similar to one used in Germany and New Zealand, said Prof. Norman Ruff, of the University of Victoria. It works well, he said. Candidates run for a seat, the same way they do now, and if after the votes are counted their seat numbers don't reflect the party's percentage of the popular vote, then their ranks are increased based on a list of party delegates.