Citing a narrow margin, and the “extraordinary circumstances experienced on election day,” Derek Bennett is requesting a judicial recount in the district of Lewisporte-Twillingate.
Bennett, who was the incumbent Liberal MHA heading into last week’s provincial election, lost the seat to PC candidate Mark Butt by just 18 votes.
While the margin didn’t meet the criteria for an automatic recount, Bennett has decided to seek a judicial recount saying that residents “deserve confidence in the integrity and accuracy” of the democratic process.
Because the matter is now before the courts, Bennett, who served as Speaker of the House, will not be offering further comment until the process is concluded.