Elections BC confirms recounts in two ridings, official result will take another week

By The Canadian Press on October 20, 2024.

In this two-photograph panel; B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, left, and B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, right, pause while addressing supporters on election night, in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns, Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER – Elections BC says votes will be recounted by hand in two ridings where the provincial NDP and Conservative candidates are separated by fewer than 100 votes.

The agency says recounts will take place in the key ridings of Juan de Fuca-Malahat and Surrey City Centre as part of the final count between Oct. 26 and 28, meaning the result of British Columbia’s provincial election won’t be official for another week.

The New Democrat candidates are leading by very thin margins in the two ridings, where the result could determine which party forms B.C.’s next government.

David Eby’s incumbent NDP are leading in 46 ridings, while John Rustad’s Conservatives are leading in 45, and neither have reached the 47 seats needed to form a majority government after the initial count that wrapped up today.

The Greens have won two seats in the legislature, and the party has the potential to play a role in helping Eby’s New Democrats form a minority government.

Elections BC adds the initial count does not reflect about 49,000 absentee and mail-in ballots that will be included in the final count starting next Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2024.