This could only be called an inconclusive result to an odd campaign.

Yukon voters were left in limbo Monday evening as there was no clear winner in sight after hours of territorial election vote- counting.

A 78-78 tie in the Vuntut Gwitchin riding was the fly in the ointment, leaving the Liberals elected or leading in eight of the 19 ridings.

The Yukon Party also had control of eight seats, and the NDP had two.

That left the Liberals potentially one spot short of a majority government and the Yukon Party potentially one riding short of tying the Liberals.

A win in Old Crow would give the Liberals nine seats to the Yukon Party’s eight. A loss would give the NDP three seats.

The NDP is left as potential kingmakers in the jumbled results.

The Yukon Party raked in nearly 40 per cent of the votes, significantly ahead of the Liberals and their 33 per cent.

Their support, though broad-based, was either too diffused to capture a large number of ridings, or concentrated in too few ridings.

The Liberals’ concentrated support made a compelling difference in the results.

The atmosphere at the Yukon Party headquarters was mostly quiet through the evening.

Cheering erupted sporadically as party candidates were announced leading or elected, but there was far more of an attitude of concern as the night wore on.

The Yukon Party did make history with the first election of a Filipino member, with Yvonne Clarke wrestling away Porter Creek Centre from the Liberals’ Paolo Gallina.

“Yvonne Clarke has made history tonight under the banner of the Yukon Party,” said party leader Currie Dixon. “I want to wish her all the best in doing so.”

Dixon also won comfortably, ousting Liberal MLA Ted Adel.

All three party leaders sounded unhappy with the results in their Monday night speeches.

A recount will need to be conducted in the Vuntut Gwitchin riding where Pauline Frost of the Liberals and Annie Blake of the NDP were running, possibly followed by a judicial recount and drawing of lots if necessary.

The process could take days to complete.

Dixon spoke of the highly unusual outcome of the election.

“It’s a very interesting decision by Yukoners tonight. Here’s what we know: we know the almost 40 per cent of Yukoners voted for the Yukon Party tonight. That’s an almost overwhelming number.

“All six of our MLAs were re-elected with the considerable confidence of electors,” he added.

“Of course there is a bit of uncertainty remaining. What we do know is in spite of the overwhelming support of Yukoners, the seat count did not go in our favour, and my understanding of parliamentary tradition is the Liberals will have the first opportunity to form government.

“We’re watching the results of the coin toss or however it is settled with great intertest.

“Until we see the results of the tie-breaker in Vuntut Gwitchin, we will have to remain interested in the final outcome. It’s a very difficult situation to determine what the outcome is going to be. We do know it’s going to affect the composition of the legislature, and consequently the government of the Yukon,” said Dixon, who took over the leadership 11 months ago.

“We’ll remain watching with bated breath. Collectively, we believed that better is possible. We need a government that does what it says it’s going to do.”

Dixon congratulated Liberal Leader Sandy Silver on that opportunity, but he made it clear the Yukon Party will continue to press on its campaign promises to make life more affordable for Yukoners and to fight for the private sector and communities.

He also congratulated NDP Leader Kate White on her campaign.

Ted Laking, the Yukon Party’s campaign manager, said “obviously we were always gunning for a majority government.

“It’s been a nail-biter for sure.”

Laking said the party expected a tight race, but added no one could have predicted this outcome.

One of the successful candidates was Geraldine Van Bibber in the Porter Creek North riding.

She said it was an honour to be re-elected and had been very pleased with the support she was shown during the campaign.