NDP got 49.88% of vote

The Jan. 30 Nanaimo byelection outcomes remained unchanged, but numbers have shifted slightly now that absentee ballots have been counted by Elections B.C. to give a final count.

Sheila Malcolmson won the byelection, holding the seat for the NDP.

In the final count, she had 12,114 votes for 49.88 per cent of the popular vote.

The 2,839 mailed-in absentee ballots were counted this week.

A total of 24,287 valid votes were counted. Prior to the byelection, Elections B.C. estimated there were 45,549 eligible voters.

The byelection was called because NDP MLA Leonard Krog announced he was running for mayor of Nanaimo and, after winning, resigned his seat.

Malcolmson’s win retained the status quo at the B.C. legislature. The NDP have 41 seats and the Greens three seats.

The two parties are in a partnership, allowing the NDP to govern. The B.C. Liberals have 42 seats.

CHAD HIPOLITO, THE CANADIAN PRESS NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson thanks supporters after winning the Nanaimo byelection.