Arguments for and against recounts in three districts following the recent provincial election will be heard in Supreme Court next week.
Lawyers for the candidates in each district, as well as the Chief Electoral Officer, were in the courtroom this morning to hash out how the case will proceed.
Everyone, particularly Justice Fonse Faour, acknowledges time is of the essence since the disputed districts remain without representation in the House of Assembly.
Three Liberal candidates are seeking recounts, including Brian Keating, who lost by 64 votes in Placentia West-Bellevue, Dan Bobbett who was 102 votes short in Topsail-Paradise, and Derek Bennett, who lost by 18 votes in Lewisporte-Twillingate.
Their applications make similar allegations of inconsistencies with the counting of special ballots, while Bennett also cites issues with spoiled ballots.
PC candidates Jeff Dwyer (left) and Mark Butt (VOCM News)
The first step is for the judge to determine if the case has merit, or meets the threshold for recounts in the first place, which he will decide after hearing evidence next Wednesday.
And while Faour reiterated the importance of completing the process quickly, he suggested the end of November is “ambitious.”
In opposing the applications, a lawyer for the PC MHAs in limbo put an exclamation point that, calling it an “untenable and unfortunate situation,” and “not fair to the people of the province.”
