Final vote count has potential to alter 2013 B.C. election outcome

VANCOUVER – The Liberals may have won the Metro Vancouver riding of Coquitlam-Maillardville on election night, but the New Democrats have now pulled ahead by just five votes.

Elections BC has begun its final tally of all ballots cast in the days leading up to the May 14 vote.

Liberal Steve Kim was originally declared the winner of Coquitlam-Maillardville, but by late Monday afternoon the NDP’s Selina Mae Robinson had pulled out in front, leading Kim 9,678 votes to 9,673.

In the riding of Saanich-North-And-The-Islands, the story changed little, with the NDP leading the Liberals by only 47 votes at days end, down from 52 votes just hours earlier.

Meanwhile, Premier Christy Clark is still without a seat and remains 785 votes behind New Democrat David Eby Vancouver-Point Grey.

Elections BC spokesman Don Main says the final vote count, including absentee ballots, should be released Wednesday. (CKNW)