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The race to fill out a full slate of candidates will be an important first test for B.C. Green party ambitions to break free of third-party status in provincial politics, in the view of one pollster.

As of Monday, the B.C. Greens had candidates nominated and registered with Elections B.C. in 76 of 87 constituencies, with “a number of others” expected to receive approval by the 1 p.m. Tuesday deadline, according to party press secretary Jillian Oliver.

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How far away the Green party is from filling the full slate could come with consequences, said pollster David Valentin with the firm Mainstreet Research, which is providing polling for Postmedia during the election.

“If it’s just one (short) OK, that’s fine,” said Valentin, “You can give them a pass.”

However, if it is much more, Valentin argues that the party risks losing credibility as a serious entity with voters if they aren’t able to vote for its candidates in all ridings across the province.