Tories allege voting shenanigans in New Brunswick’s election

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — The struggle for control of the New Brunswick legislature moved to the courts Tuesday with recounts set for two ridings — including one Saint John district where a lawyer for the Progressive Conservative candidate filed an affidavit alleging voting irregularities.

An allegation that about 40 electors voted twice in the riding of Saint John Harbour, which was won by the Liberals by a 10-vote margin, was filed with the Court of Queen’s Bench in Saint John on Monday.

However, during Tuesday’s hearing, the application was withdrawn, as the party’s lawyer said he will delay re-filing it until the results of the judicial recount and the official results of the election are filed.

Matthew Letson said if the recounts don’t change the outcome in the district, then the application to have the Saint John result thrown out is expected to resume as early as next Tuesday.

The official recount of the Saint John Harbour result is scheduled to begin in the court this morning, while a recount will also take place today in a Moncton court for the riding of Memramcook-Tantramar, which was won by the Green party by fewer than 25 votes over the Liberals.

A shift of even a single seat could bear on which political party eventually gains control of the New Brunswick legislature after the unusual results of the Sept. 24 election.

The Tories, led by Blaine Higgs, won 22 seats in the 49-seat legislature last week — one more than the Liberals led by Premier Brian Gallant.

Neither party has enough seats for a majority, and both leaders have been trying to gain support from the third parties holding the balance of power.