Both Peter Boyles, who won the election for district 9 by one vote, and Jamie Davidson, the councillor who held the seat before the election, have different reasons for contesting the application put forth by the municipality that is asking the court determine if votes for the district are valid, since a ballot box was reportedly removed from the polling station on election day.
Both Peter Boyles, who won the election for district 9 by one vote, and Jamie Davidson, the councillor who held the seat before the election, have different reasons for contesting the application put forth by the municipality that is asking the court determine if votes for the district are valid, since a ballot box was reportedly removed from the polling station on election day.
Boyles told the court in his notice of contest that the application should be dismissed on the grounds that there is no violation under the Municipal Elections Act and that all voting procedures were followed. He also states that no report or inquiry was made to the RCMP regarding the removal of the box.
Davidson is contesting the application because he believes the Municipal Elections Act was violated and that two ballots were cast improperly while the ballot box was removed. His notice of contest also states that it is unknown how many voters were at the polling station when the ballot box was not present or if they returned later to cast a ballot.
A third candidate, Barb Weir, who received the lowest number of votes for the district, told the Supreme Court Thursday she is not contesting the application.
All of the parties involved will return to Supreme Court in Pictou on Dec. 22 for a hearing on the matter. On Monday, a provincial court judge will address an application for a recount of the votes.
