The Liberal candidate running in the Lewisporte-Twillingate electoral district has officially requested a recount following a narrow loss to Progressive Conservative Mark Butt by a margin of 18 votes. Derek Bennett, in a statement released on Friday, confirmed that he has filed an application with the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador for the recount.
Expressing his commitment to ensuring the voters’ trust in the electoral process, Bennett highlighted the importance of accuracy and integrity in democracy. While mentioning “extraordinary circumstances” during the election day, he refrained from providing specific details, stating that he will reserve further comments until after the recount.
Candidates have a 10-day window post the official count to apply for a recount, especially if they suspect errors in tallying the ballots. A minimum of four days’ notice is required from a judge to schedule the recount, specifying the time and location for the process.