Alison Coffin’s bid for a recount in the district of St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi has been denied.
Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage released his ruling this afternoon, two days after hearing arguments.
It paves the way for Liberal John Abbott to be sworn in as the MHA for the district. It’s not yet clear when that will happen.
The crux of Coffin’s argument was that the NDP’s single scrutineer was prevented from viewing and verifying some of the ballots that were rejected.
As a result, they said they couldn’t gather specific evidence of irregularities that they needed to trigger a recount.
Lawyer Kyle Rees called it a “catch-22” that might prove fatal—which it did.
The focus now shifts to three separate applications to have the results in three districts overturned due to alleged widespread irregularities in the provincial election.
Those matters will be back in Supreme Court next week.
BREAKING: Justice Donald Burrage denies application for recount in St.John’s East-Quid Vidi. @VOCMNEWS
— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) May 12, 2021
Earlier Story
A decision on whether there will be a recount in the district of St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi will be delivered today.
Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage heard arguments Monday, mostly from lawyer Kyle Rees who’s representing NDP Leader Alison Coffin.
Rees, who is also on the executive of the party, says the recount is necessary to address the many problems voters and scrutineers faced in trying to make sure all valid votes were counted and not wrongly rejected.
Lawyers for Elections NL and chief electoral officer Bruce Chaulk are not arguing against a recount, but are supplying the court with various legislative information to inform the judge’s decision.
Justice Burrage did express concern that many of the arguments put forth by the NDP would be more appropriate for their other application to throw out the results altogether and order a new vote in St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi.
The judge said he expects to decide yea or nay on the recount by this afternoon.
Related Stories
Election Recount Application Hampered by Catch-22: Rees
Political Scientist Baffled Why Elections NL Would Stand in Way of Recount
Alison Coffin Requests Recount in St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi
