NDP loses more than half its seats in bitter defeat

Saskatchewan's New Democrats suffered a devastating loss in the Monday's provincial election, losing more than half their seatsincluding the one held by their leader.

Before the election was called Oct. 10, the NDP under leader Dwain Lingenfelter held 20 of the 58 seats in the legislaturemainly in Regina and Saskatooncompared with 38 seats for the Saskatchewan Party.

By the time the ballots were counted for Monday's vote, the NDP were reduced to nine MLAs elected, the worst result since 1982.

Lingenfelter, who had returned from a career in the oil industryinAlberta to run for the NDP leadership in 2009,lost his seat in Regina Douglas Park.

Seven other NDP incumbents were unseated by their Saskatchewan Party rivals in Monday's election. They were:

• Prince Albert Northcote - Darcy Furber.
• Moose Jaw Wakamow - Deb Higgins.
• Saskatoon Fairview - Andy Iwanchuk.
• Saskatoon Eastview - Judy Junor.
• Saskatoon Meewasin - Frank Quennell.
• The Battlefords - Len Taylor.
• Regina Dewdney - Kevin Yates.