Advanced polls open for 4 Quebec byelections

Advanced polls are open Sunday and Mondayfor four Quebec byelections.

The ridings ofSaint-Jrme, Marie-Victorin,Verdun andArthabaska are all up for grabs in the Dec. 5 vote.

The byelectionswill be the first test for newParti QubcoisLeader Jean-Franois Lise.

• PQ leader wants to ban religious symbols for daycare workers, teachers
• Jean-FranoisLisestill hopes to win Verdun withQubecSolidaire'shelp

Saint-Jrme has been vacant since former PQ leader Pierre Karl Pladeau's resignation earlier this year, while Marie-Victorin was held by former PQ leadership candidate Bernard Drainville.

Verdun was previously held by the Liberals but cabinet minister Jacques Daoustresigned in August amid controversy over the approval of the sale of Rona.

The riding ofArthabaska needs to be filled following the death of IndependentMNA Sylvie Roy.

The governing Liberals have 69 of the 125 seats in the national assembly, compared with 28 for the PQ, 20 for the Coalition Avenir Qubecand three forQubecsolidaire.

There is also one sitting Independent.

Polls are open on Sunday and Monday between 9:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.