The provincial election is exactly three months away but the unofficial campaign has been on for a while. With the increasing prevalence of social media, the back and forth between party supporters, party members and even candidates creates a unique digital discourse.

Since the announcement that the BC Conservative Party (BCCP) had Chad Eros running in Chilliwack and Michael Henshall in Chilliwack-Hope, the inevitable topic of vote splitting has emerged.

In the 2012 byelection in Chilliwack-Hope won by Gwen O'Mahony, the BC Liberals blamed the Conservatives for stealing right-of-centre votes and handing the seat to the NDP.

When byelection candidate John Martin and BCCP party vice-president Ben Besler fled to join the Liberals in the fall, some thought the local provincial Conservatives were all but dead.

Not so, and, based on a recent Twitter exchange, it seems some local Liberals, including Besler, think that's bad news.

BC Liberal Chilliwack riding association president Collin Rogers tweeted that Eros "will come in third in the #Chilliwack MLA race. Only questions is will he help ensure NDP win. #VoteSplit."

Eros responded: "in a democracy you have to get the most votes to win whether there's two or twenty two parties #VoteS-plit."

Eros added: "No fight against BCL. Dead horse there. What part of the BCL is right besides rhetoric? Tax strategy?"

Rogers responded: "Today's BCL is strong.

How many BCCP members in Chilliwack? Do you have funds for campaign?"

He added: "Mistake NOT to vote for @Martin4MLA and #TodaysB-CLP. I agree. Unite the Right."

All three parties have candidates in place for the May 14 election for both local ridings, and all six candidates have Twitter handles.

For the Liberals, John Martin's is @Martin4MLA, Laurie Throness's is @LaurieThron-ess.

For the NDP, O'Mahony's is @gwenoma-hony and Patti MacAhonic's is @Patti_ MacAhonic.

For the BC Conservatives, Henshall is @Henshall4MLA and Eros is @ChadEros-ChillBC.

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com