Liberal Chris Palmer wins Summerside-Wilmot byelection
Sara Fraser | CBC News | Posted: October 17, 2016 9:00 PM | Last Updated: October 18, 2016
Palmer takes 978 votes to Ramsay's 720, Lunn's 505
Even though Elections P.E.I. had reported only one poll at the time, the PCs Brian Ramsay conceded to Liberal Chris Palmer in P.E.I.'s District 21 Summerside-Wilmot byelection at around 8:45 p.m. AT Monday.
- It's voting day in Summerside-Wilmot
- Summerside-Wilmot MLA Janice Sherry leaving provincial politics
One station delayed reporting results which in turn delayed the entire results procedure. — Gary McLeod, Elections P.E.I.
Soon after, results from all 12 polls poured in, and Palmer was indeed the clear winner.
Here's the breakdown as reported by Elections P.E.I.:
- Chris Palmer (Liberal) 978 votes
- Brian Ramsay (PC) 720 votes
- Scott Gaudet (NDP) 107 votes
- Lynne Lund (Green) 505 votes
Palmer's tally gave him 42.3 per cent of the vote, with all 12 polls and the advance poll reporting.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan came by Liberal headquarters to congratulate Palmer on the win.
The Greens, meanwhile, were pleased with their showing:
'Slower than expected'
Elections P.E.I. admitted results "were slower than expected."
The two polling stations at Wilmot Community Centre and the County Fair Mall each covered all 12 polls, and that's what led to the problem, said Chief Electoral Officer Gary McLeod.
"One station delayed reporting results which in turn delayed the entire results procedure," said McLeod in a written release Monday night.
Staff said McLeod headed to Summerside to investigate the matter personally after results finally were reported.
"The entire reporting process is being reviewed by Elections P.E.I.," the release added.
Sherry's former seat
The byelection was held to fill the seat left vacant when Liberal Janice Sherry resigned in August.
There were 3,800 people registered to vote in the district.
The current Wade MacLauchlan Liberal majority government has 17 seats held by Liberals, 8 Progressive Conservatives and one Green held by Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker.
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