2 B.C. byelections challenge ruling Liberals

Its voting day in twotraditional B.C. Liberal strongholds, but most observers say it will betough for the governing party which is facing challengesfromthe right and the leftto win either byelection

Up for grabs areformerLiberal seats inPort Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope and the opposition parties are treating the byelections as a referendumnot just ON Premier Christy Clark's leadership,but alsoon 11 years of Liberal government.

But Clark is playing down the significance of the byelections, notingmost byelections don't tend to go the government's way, no matter what party is in power in B.C.

The official oppositionNDP is hoping to take two seats in ridings where it's never been strong, while the B.C. Conservatives are looking for a historic breakthrough after years in political obscurity.

In Port Moody-Coquitlam NDP candidate Joe Trasolini, a former Port Moody mayor who once supported Clark, is considered the favourite, while Chilliwack-Hope is expected tobe a tight, three-way raceamong the New Democrats, Liberals and upstart B.C. Conservatives.

The ridings were vacated when Liberal MLA Iain Black stepped down in Port Moody and Chilliwack Liberal Barry Penner left the cabinet and his seat last year.

The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT.