A second recount of voter ballots in a hotly contested riding in southwest Calgary will occur following a request from the runner-up.
Following the May 5 provincial election, Elections Alberta declared an unofficial stalemate in the riding of Calgary-Glenmore as the PC candidate Linda Johnson, the incumbent MLA, and NDP candidate Anam Kazim both received 7,015 votes.
Ten days later, the official election results declared Kazim the victor by a six vote margin:
- Kazim NDP - 7,018 votes
- Johnson PC - 7,012 votes
- Kemp-Jackson WRP - 5,058 votes
- Waddington LIB - 1,345 votes
- Lo AP - 719 votes
According to Elections Alberta, 21,152 ballots were cast in Calgary-Glenmore including:
- 99 rejected ballots
- 32 spoiled ballots
- 9 decline ballots
“There are a significant number of ballots where the voter’s intention could be in question,” said Linda Johnson. “In some cases, these ballots were counted differently by the Deputy Returning Officer on the night of the election, and by the Returning Officer in the official count. It is reasonable to ensure that we apply a consistent interpretation in determining how the voter intended to vote on these irregular ballots, and in determining whether or not the ballot was spoiled.”
“Consequently, I would like to know with certainty, and I believe residents of Calgary-Glenmore deserve to know with certainty, the final result. In such a close election, a second look is appropriate.”
The recount will occur within the next ten days.
