Liberals held 19 of the legislature’s 40 seats when the election was called, the Progressive Conservatives 14 and the NDP one, with two Independents and four vacant seats.

The polls have closed across Newfoundland and Labrador after an election campaign that saw the governing Liberals promising to conclude a multibillion-dollar energy deal that they say will deliver economic salvation to the financially fragile province.

Incumbent Premier John Hogan, a 47-year-old lawyer, has said the proposed agreement between Hydro-Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro could inject $225 billion into the provincial treasury over 50 years.

The Liberal leader, whose party is seeking a fourth consecutive term, has said the memorandum of understanding between the two utilities was “the election issue.

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