Martin Singh

By virtue of first ballot results, Niki Ashton has been eliminated. Martin Singh has dropped out, having already identified Thomas Mulcair as his second choice. Paul Dewar has dropped out, but without directing his supporters how to vote. That leaves four for the second ballot: Mr. Mulcair, Brian Topp, Nathan Cullen and Peggy Nash.

Thomas Mulcair 19,728 30.2%

First ballot results are expected to be announced between 10am and 10:30am this morning. Here is what I’m interested to see.

A review from the floor of the candidates’ presentations at the NDP leadership convention

Martin Singh and Jack Harris go to Thomas Mulcair.

As part of our coverage of the NDP leadership, we’re running interviews with each of the candidates here at Macleans.ca. Previously, we chatted with Nathan Cullen, Peggy Nash, Paul Dewar and Niki Ashton. Next up, Martin Singh. Our Gabriela Perdomo chatted with Mr. Singh yesterday.

4:21pm. Closing statements. Mr. Cullen goes for poetry, Ms. Nash is insistent, Mr. Dewar is emotional, Mr. Topp is aspirational, Mr. Mulcair is workmanlike. New Democrats have an incredibly difficult choice to make.

Joan Bryden reports on speculation of a Mulcair-Singh partnership.

4:30pm. And we’re done. Plenty there to dwell upon if the press gallery is so motivated. For instance: What precisely would Thomas Mulcair do differently? What specific policies or stances would he change or pursue? If Peggy Nash thinks the rich might pay more, why not say so now? If she’s worried about what the Conservatives will say, how will she ever address the issue? What are Brian Topp’s chances in Quebec? What does history and current polling tell us about his path to a seat? What does Paul Dewar mean by “issue-based campaigning? And how does he square that with his aversion to negative politics?

Paul Dewar’s campaign has released the results of an interactive voice response poll of 6,373 NDP members. The poll was conducted February 8 and 9, using the NDP membership list as of February 2. Respondents were provided with a list of candidates and asked for their first and second choices. For first choice, the results released for decided voters are as follows:

3:15pm. Closing arguments. Mr. Mulcair: Common values, unity, reaching out, taking the Quebec success nationwide. Mr. Topp: Quebec values, the environment, peace, equality, winning. Ms. Nash: Peace and justice, yes to the environment, no to torture, inspire, bring together and unite. Mr. Dewar: Solidarity, peace, climate change, human rights, no to capital punishment. Mr. Cullen: I drank Caribou last night, these people are all great candidates, we need to think about the next steps, I’m not afraid of new ideas.

As part of its latest filing with Elections Canada, the NDP has tabled fundraising data for its leadership race through Dec. 31, 2011. Alice Funke has the headline totals.