A New Democratic Party government would move the fixed election date to the fall and a BC Liberal opposition would likely criticize the move.

"We want to move the next election to the fall of 2017, we've made that clear," said NDP house leader John Horgan. "A government with a new mandate is in a better position to make the case to the public that adding three months to a four year mandate is reasonable ... Consider it part of our platform."

Horgan was responding to an open letter independent MLAs Vicki Huntington, John van Dongen and Bob Simpson released this morning calling on their colleagues to move the 2017 election date before the current legislative session ends.

"We all know the change needs to happen, so let's put partisanship aside and make the change now, in advance of the May election," they wrote. "This is the fairest time to change future election dates, because it negates any criticism that the date is being moved by the governing party for selfish reasons."

Both Horgan and deputy premier Rich Coleman said the necessary legislation will not be passed before MLAs leave Victoria.

"I appreciate the independents wanting to advance this issue," said Horgan. "We've been on record for some time, the best time to have an election in British Columbia is after the books are closed and after the second quarter finances are in, so we don't have bogus budgets like we do this year or other previous years when elections have taken place."

Coleman said he's not sure moving the election date is a good idea. "Electoral reform is always a discussion," he said. "We're not doing anything now and it's not part of our platform."

Asked if the BC Liberals would likely criticize an NDP government for supporting such a move, Coleman smiled and said, "Maybe."

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee's Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.