Major parties: Progressive Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats.

Leaders: Premier Rodney MacDonald (Conservative), Francis MacKenzie (Liberal), Darrell Dexter (NDP).

Ridings: 52.

Standings at dissolution: Conservatives, 25; NDP, 15; Liberals, 10; Independent, 1; vacancies, 1.

Main campaign issues: Gas price regulation, income tax cuts, pre-election government spending spree, preimier's lack of experience versus the oppositions lack of profile.

Most recent general election: Aug. 5, 2003.

Province's population: 943,000.

Voter turnout: 74.9 per cent on average in the elections since 1960.

Voter apathy: The lowest turnout on record was 65.8 per cent in 2003.

The standings in the past six provincial elections in Nova Scotia:

2003: Progressive Conservatives 25 (36 per cent of popular vote); New Democrats 15 (31 per cent); Liberals 12 (31.5 per cent).

1999: Progressive Conservatives 30 (39 per cent of popular vote); New Democrats 11 (30 per cent); Liberals 11 (30 per cent).

1998: Liberals 19 (35 per cent); New Democrats 19 (35 per cent); Progressive Conservatives 14 (30 per cent).

1993: Liberals 40 (50 per cent); Progressive Conservatives 9 (31 per cent); New Democrats 3 (18 per cent).

1988: Progressive Conservatives 28 (43 per cent); Liberals 21 (40 per cent); New Democrats 2 (16 per cent); Independent 1 (1 per cent).

1984: Progressive Conservatives 42 (51 per cent); Liberals 6 (31 per cent); New Democrats 3 (16 per cent); Labour Party 1 (2 per cent).