It’s official, the winner of the mayoral race in Peachland will be determined by a judicial recount scheduled to take place next Monday.
That much was decided in a Kelowna courtroom on Friday afternoon, where mayoral challenger Harry Gough and the district's chief elections officer Polly Palmer each spoke in front of provincial judge Ellen Burdette.
The challenger Gough began the proceedings by questioning how the initial recount was handled, claiming the boxes weren’t sealed and had been opened before the candidates arrived.
Elections B.C. official Palmer immediately contended the allegation, affirming that the six ballot boxes were sealed.
After being informed that tampered ballot boxes would be a matter for the Supreme Court, Gough decided to not pursue his allegation and instead agreed to a judicial recount by hand.
If the judicial recount once again ends in a tie “lots” will be drawn, meaning the winner will essentially be chosen by drawing a name from a hat.
The judicial recount will take place at the Peachland Community Centre where the winner will be announced by Monday evening.
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