‘Everything done by the book’ at NE Fife count

Council stands firm as Lib Dems take legal advice after loss by two votes

Election officials in Fife maintain everything was done by the book during the closely-fought North East Fife general election count which saw the SNP keep the seat by just two votes.

The Liberal Democrats are currently taking legal advice before deciding whether to launch a formal challenge over the remarkable result which was only confirmed after three recounts.

While talk of a legal challenge was sparked by the rejection of a Lib Dem request for a fourth recount, The Courier has learned that there have also been concerns raised about what constitutes a spoiled ballot.

One in particular is understood to have been rejected solely due to the presence of a four-digit number written on the ballot paper.

However, Linda Bissett, head of democratic services at Fife Council, stressed that all the “appropriate processes” were followed during a tense few hours at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes early on Friday.

“There was nothing to suggest that the overall integrity of the counting process was compromised in any way, and the appropriate processes were followed around verifying votes,” she said.

“All issues regarding doubtful ballot papers will have been dealt with at the count.”

Stephen Gethins retained the constituency for the SNP by the joint-third narrowest margin in UK general election history, beating the Lib Dem candidate Elizabeth Riches into second place with 13,743 votes compared to 13,741.

The initial count had put Mrs Riches up by three votes, and the first recount reduced that margin to two, prompting another recount.

The outcome of that recount then saw Mr Gethins ahead by two votes, and a subsequent recount did likewise.

Mrs Riches argued that a fourth recount would have been the fairest way to ensure a decisive winner, but returning officer and Fife Council chief executive Steve Grimmond refused the request and declared Mr Gethins as the victor.

Any legal challenge would not be entirely out of the ordinary, as voters in Winchester had to return to the polls in 1997 after the High Court annulled Lib Dem Mark Oaten’s two-vote victory due to mistakes by officials during the general election that year.